IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


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Photographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


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23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


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a 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


vV 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiqjes 


The  Institute  haj  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibliographically  unique, 
which  may  alter  a:iy  of  the  images  in  the 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 


L'Institut  a  microfilm^  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  6t6  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-etre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  m6thode  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiqu^s  ci-dessous. 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 

Covers  damaged/ 
Couverture  endommag^e 


n 


Coloured  pages/ 
Pages  de  couleur 

Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommag^es 


□    Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaur^e  et/ou  pellicul^e 


D 


Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Pages  restaur^es  et/ou  pellicul6es 


n 


Cover  title  missing/ 

Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 


D 


Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
Pages  d^color^es,  tachet^es  ou  piquees 


□    Coloured  maps/ 
Cartes  g^ographiques  en  couleur 


D 


Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  b!ue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autro  que  bleue  ou  noire) 


D 
D 


Pages  detached/ 
Pages  detachees 

Showthrough/ 
Transparence 


n 


Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 
Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 


D 


Quality  of  print  varies/ 
Quality  in6gale  de  I'impression 


□    Bound  with  other  material/ 
Reli6  avec  d'autres  documents 


D 


Includes  supplementary  material/ 
Comprend  du  materiel  supplementaire 


D 


n 


Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  reliure  serree  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distortion  le  long  de  la  marge  int^rieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajout^es 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissent  dans  le  texte, 
mais,  lorsque  cela  6tait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  ^t6  film6es. 


D 
D 


Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Edition  disponible 

Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  une  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  6t6  film6es  ^  nouveau  de  facon  d 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


D 


Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  supptementaires; 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  film^  au  taux  de  reduction  indiqu^  ci-dessous. 


10X 

14X 

18X 

22X 

26X 

30X 

;< 

12X 


16X 


20X 


24X 


28X 


32X 


tails 
i  du 
odifier 
'  une 
mage 


The  copy  filmed  here  has  been  reproduced  thanks 
to  the  generosity  of: 

Libriiy  of  Congress 
Photoduplication  Service 

The  images  appearing  here  are  the  best  Quality 
possible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  original  copy  and  in  keeping  with  the 
filming  contract  specifications. 


L'examplaire  filmd  fut  reproduit  grdce  d  la 
g6n6rosit6  de: 

Library  of  Congress 
Photoduplication  Service 

Les  images  suivantes  ont  6t6  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soin,  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  et 
de  la  nettetd  de  I'exemplaire  film^,  et  en 
conformity  a  ''6C  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
fllmage. 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  — ^>  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 


Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  imprimde  sont  filmds  en  commenpant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
dernldre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impresslon  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  selon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  film6s  en  commenpant  par  la 
preinidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impresslon  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernidre  page  qui  comprrte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaitra  sur  la 
dernidre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbole  -^  signifie  "A  SUIVRE  ",  le 
symbole  V  signifie  "FIN". 


Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  n'.ay  be  filmed  at 
("ifferent  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
eiitirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  dtre 
film6s  d  des  taux  de  reduction  diffdrents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  cliche,  il  est  film'  &  partir 
de  Tangle  supdrieur  gauche,  de  gauche  d  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'Images  n6cessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
lllustrent  la  mdthode. 


errata 
to 


pelure, 
)n  d 


D 


32X 


1 

2 

3 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

PZ 
3 


'^■^ 


^ 


i 


TlfK 


y 


OLD    CHEST; 


JOUUXAL  (IF  A  FAMILY  OF  TKKFHKNCII  I'KOI'IJ.; 


PROM  THE 


fnrrobi'nohin  ^Timr.*!  to  otti*  (Dton  23as<9. 


TRANSLATrD  PEOM  THE  FRENCH, 


JiY     AXNA    T.     SADLJER. 


3 


.^^ 


NEW  YORK : 

T).  &  J.  SADLTEIl  &  CO.,  ;}i  BARn.AT  fir 

MoNTnEAL  ;  ^75  Notre  Dame  Rtp.kkt. 

1875. 


\   !■■'■ 


X? 


o 


O 


Pk 


T 


•4 


s^, 

r 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  i3;s,  by 

1).  &  J.   SADLIKR  &  CO., 
in  the  OlTice  oflhe  Librarian  of  Congress,  ut  Wusliinglon,  D.  ('. 


on,  D.  ('. 


V- 


I   , 


IMIKFACK  TO  TIIK  FIIIST  AMKIdCAX 
KDITION. 


Tin-,  little  ■work  now  tor  tlio  liist  tiiiK' 
j)ul)lislH'<l  ill  til'!  Kiijj,iisli  JMiiLinant'  i» 
.  soinetliiii;^:  iiioiv  tluiii  t\  storv;  it,  is  a 
series  of  ]iistorii';il  skctclics,  iu  I  Ik;  tbrm 
of  a  family  cliroiiiflc,  following  the 
eoiir.so  of  Freiioli  history  (Vom  the  early 
tlays  of  the  first,  or  IMeroviiiijian  dynastv, 
to   the  reiu'ii   of   Napoleon    I. 

Tiio  plan  of  the  work,  althouo;!!  siin- 
])le,  is  i'.igeiiious  and  artistic,  showin<i; 
])oth  leariiin;;  and  ability  on  the  part  of 
the  author.  In  the  lirief  sketeh  uiven 
of  each  succeed iiiij;  representative  of  tiie 
Dnchaisne  iiunily,  the  manners  and  eus- 
toniH  of  that   i)articular   aire  in   which  lie 


.|      Piifiu.    /.I  till    lurst  AiUiriidii   /•.,/ifh>ii. 

livi'(l  jirc  .skill'iilly  iiitrodiiccd,  ms  it  \\<rc, 
ill  !i  binrH-cyo  vitiw,  mikI  llic  iciidirif^ 
event  or  events  of  tin;  respective  peiiods 
graphically  descrihed  and  intei'woveii 
Avitli   tlie   lliread   nt'  tlie   nairative. 

Such  woi'ks  as  this,  written,  as  it  evi- 
dently is,  by  :i  devout  Catholic,  are  cal- 
cidated  to  benefit  the  youthiid  reader 
l)y  cultivating  a  taste  loi-  historical  read- 
iiiU',  and  at  tlu;  same  tinier  couveyini^  to 
the  mind  a  certain  aimiunt  of  accurate 
liistorical  iiit'orination.  In  this  little  work 
we  have  a  photographic!  view,  so  to.  say, 
of  th(^  ages  as  the}'  passed  over  thc^ 
fair  lan<l  of  France,  their  chief  charac- 
teristics made  real  and  very  striking  to 
the  youthful  I'cader.  AV(!  hav(>  tln^  an- 
cient (iaids,  *he  Fiaidcish  soldiers  of 
CharlemagiK',  tln^  moid<  in  his  cloister, 
the  itinerant  church-builder  and  his  ])ious 
craft,  tin'  soldier  of  Civcy,  tlu'  'JVoii- 
badoiir,    the   treasurv-clerk     in     the     ti/ne 


Itli'll. 

It     WtTc, 

i('ii(r.ii<4 

TWOVCII 

I   it   cvi- 

iiic  cal- 

reader 

■:il  reutl- 

>''"!<   to 

aecui'ato 

It'  work 

t().s:iy, 

KCV      tllC 

cliaiac- 
kiiii;  to 
\\\o.  an- 
liers  of 
cloister, 
is  j)ioiis 

I'        J  I'OII- 

le     li/iiP 


IVi/ihi'  A'  ///,    /'y-,/  .\iu,n\,!ii   liifitioii.       5 

of      Collx'lt,     the      nrieu-a<le      Inllowel-     cf 
(^'oliu'iii    and     Ids    j.ioiis    and    taitlit'id    Ca- 
tlicdic    l.rotlier,   \\w    i.Inl..s,.j)li(.r.I,..,Mker   (.f 
the  ei.i^diteentli  eeiituiy,   (!ie    l,ijive    soldier 
of   the    (Jraiid    Army,  and    still    other    re- 
I)resentativ(.     types    «,t'    classes     faiflifidly 
d»'j)ieted    hy    a    !iiaj)liic     pen    L'uided     l)v 
the    spirit    of     i.afh.       It     i<,    however,   a 
very    unJ)^eten(lin^'    volnine,    and    as   such 
.we    lioj),.    it    may   jind    favor  in    the   eye.s 
of  yoiiij''  and  old. 


^ 


COXTEXTS. 


Ifveiitli 


IntrcKlui'tion, 

Notps  if  aor(,'iut<,  IildiiU  (if  Klnon, 

l.—Tho  rnuiklKli  Mol.licr-FitUi  Cuntury.  . 
11. — Tlio  Coiivi'i'sii):!— HixUi  C'l'iitliry,  . 
III.— Tilt)  Mdiik— lit'Vt'iitli  Cetitury, 
I\'.— Tlio  Boldlor— Eit;lit!i  Ccnturj-, 
v.— Til'' I.iilKircr— Xiiitli  Cciitiiry, 
VI.— TIii>  I'ilgrini— Tenth  Cimtiir-, 
Vn.— TheCliinvli-niiililcrimiUlH'TniiilMKhnir— K 

CVntiiry 

VIII.— Tho  CnisiuIiT— Twelfth  Century, 
IX.— The! iiTf—Thii-tootmt!i  Century,    . 
X. — Tho   "lolilior   <(   ('ret\v-  -.r.-iciiucs    lioiihoninio — 

ourtooiith  ('o.i',-.iry,  

XI. — Tho  t'itiziMi—l'iftccuth  Century,  .... 
XII.— Catholic  ui\il  I'rotosfunt— S:.Ttocnth  Cciitiry,     . 
XIII.— Tho  Treasury -Clork—SeventocnthCentury, 
XIV. — Philosoiiliy— r,i;,'liteoni.h  Century, 
XV.— Tho  I'oiitoon-Jlau  of  El.1.- 


'J 

III 
l( 

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:!7 

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:^ 

TO 
K(l 

s.- 

1(10 

uy 
i:m 

ir.i 

104 


; 


-4'«^J!yBIMa''l8aaElM!Tpfm'»ff»lw^ijiJ»iiljiiiii  imnijiwi^tj     - 


f 

' 


If 


'-.Jfe 


THE  01.1)  (Ml EST. 


JNTHODUCTlUis;. 

Ik  is —  I  \v!i.s  staying  in  llio  pubiirljs  ol'  a  town 
in  tlio  north  of  l-'raiicc,  wiiei-c  my  lu'i.uhbor  was  an 
old  gardener  in  liunible  circumstances  \vllo^o  name 
\yas  Piorro  Duchaisne.  My  uiiulim-  overlooked  his 
little  garden,  Avhich,  gymmotrically  dividetl  into 
throe  i)arts,  wa.s  arranged  in  bed.s  of  hyacinths, 
tulips,  irinks,  rose.-',  fneh.sias,  dahlia.*,  and  chrj'san- 
themums.  Home  rare  flowers  were  ])rotected  from 
the  wind  by  bcll-.shaped  glass  covers,  whicli  iit- 
tractcd  the  heat  of  the  sun.  Peach-trees,  vines, 
and  a  fig-tree  covered  the  walls  of  the  little  house 
whoi'o  the  old  man  lived  alone,  on  the  modest  in- 
come which  his  flowers  brought  him  every  week 
when  he  took  them  to  the  city. 

I  took  an  interest  in  old  Pierre's  labor.<,  his  se- 
clusion, and  poverty  ;  for  the  good  man's  ajtiiear- 
ancc  denoted  that  his  labor  alone  kept  him  from 
indigence — indigence  whicli  was  jirond  and  re- 
signed, but  bitter  :'.:m1  jval. 

No  one  helped  him  in  his  work  ;  being  an  old 
soldier,  he  had  not  niarriid  ;  and  (»i<l  age  had 
come,  and  lie  had   not   the  .'strong  iirm  of  a  .^o).i  or 


■t\    ! 


1    i 

i       ; 
i      1 


I     - 


f  n 


lO 


77/t'  O/,/  C/usl. 


tlio  t^kill'ul  liiiml  (if  ii  gent  If  aiul  i>ions  diiiiglilor  to 
K'vvo  liiin.  I  vainly  i-ouglit  to  render  liini  some  of 
those  R'rviees  wliieli  liind  ]ieoi)le"s  hearts  to  each 
other  :  tlio  old  man  was  ])nnid— I  tihonid  have  said 
stoically  proiid,  if  ho  had  not  always  phown  hini&clf 
a  flood  and  fervent  Calholie. 

One  day,  however— it  Avas  a  fcorehing  morning 
in  Jnne— I  did  not  see  him  vvaiiderinp;  around  his 
garden,    with   his   walerinp-vot   in  his   hand.      I 
looked  at  the  hou-^e  ;  the  doir  and  tlic  shutters 
Averc  closed,  and  the  dog,  lyir.g  in  his  corner,  was 
howling  mournfully.     Feeling  uneasy,  I  went  over 
the  liedgo,  and  ojiened  the  inner  door,  wldcli  was 
only  on  the  latch,  and  found  Pierre,  half-dressed, 
lying  on  his  hed,  as  though  he  were  dead.     I  ran 
to  him,  and  raised  him.     I  saw  that  luemorrhagc 
of  the  lungs  had  reduced  him  to  the  last  degree  of 
Aveaknei^s  and  exhaustion.     He  recognized  me,  and 
pressod  my  luuul.     I  did  all  in  my  power  for  him, 
and    soon    the    physician    and    the  -  parish-priest 
brought  him,    one    the   impotent   remedies  of   his 
profession,  i:nd  th.  other  tiie  j)owerful  consolations 
of  his  ministry.     Old  Pierre  lived  three  days  after 
this;  during  that  time  I   never  left  him,  and  he 
Lcemed  touched  hy  niy  nadines:;  to  console  and 

serve  him. 

About  evening  on  the  third  i!ay  he  called  me, 
and  said,  in  a  bi'^ken  voice,  "I  feel  that  I  am 
going.     .  .     AH  is  over  witii  mc,  good  neigh- 

bor.'^ ...  In  Uvs  than  two  hours  'vom  now, 
perhaiis,  1  shall  tel.  1m-  good  Clod  of  your  kindness 
to  mo.  I  w<mld  wi.-li  to  leave  you  sonu'ihing  ;  but  I 
have  nothing.  Yel.  stay  ;  you  see  that  old  chest  ? 
.    .    ,    It  contains  some  papers  which  belonged  to 


*fej 


(liiuglilor  to 
him  Bouic  of 
iirts  to  each 
lid  have  said 
lown  hini&cll 

ing  morning 
r  around  hia 
is   hand.      I 

tlie  shutters 
s  corner,  ■vvas 
,  I  went  over 
r,  wliich  was 

half-dressed, 
dead.     I  ran 

lueniorrhagc 
iast  degree  of 
lized  nic,  and 
wer  for  hi  in, 
■  ])ari.sh-priest 
nedies  of  his 
1  consolations 
L-ee  days  after 

him,  and  ho 
)  console  and 

lie  called  me, 
x'l  that  I  am 
',  good  neigli- 
irs  ■'viiin  now, 
vour  kindness 
iflhing;  hut  I 
lat  (dd  chest  ? 
h  liclonged  to 


The  Old  Clust.  II 

my  father,  and  wliicji  Jiad  been  left  to  hiin  hy  his 
father.  ...  It  is  an  old  family  relic  ;  but  a 
learned  man,  to  whom  I  showed  it  once,  told  mc 
tliat  it  was  a  curiosity.  .  .  .  Would  vou  like 
to  have  It,  my  dear  neighbor  ?  It  i.s  yours ^;  I  give 
It  to  you,  .  .  .  Take  also  my  poor  doir, 'Tctu' : 
she  will  not  know  where  to  go,  poor  animal.  G.xjd- 
by,  my  dear  sir;  pray  for  me.  .  .  .  "Who 
would  have  said  (hat  an  old  pioneer  of  General 
Eblo  would  die  in  his  bed  ?    .     .     ." 

Ho  foil  back  on  his  pillow ;  his  eves  became 
fixed  ;  his  hands  groped  about  on  the  qui'u  ;  .  .  . 
.he  priest  came  in  just  then,  and  held  the  crucifix 
before  him.  .  .  .  Pierre  kissed  it  fervently, 
and  all  was  ovei-. 

•After  having  followed  the  humble  hearse  of  the 
old  soldier-gardener,  I  took  possession  o^  the  l<-i,ry 
which  his  friendship  hud  left  me.     I  took  htmo 
letu,    who    never    stooped    howling    and    snuf- 
Ihng  the  spade,  the  pruning- knife,  the  waterin- 
pot,  and  all  the  implemerts  which  had  I,een  usc^d 
by  her  poor  master.     Bolorc  opening  the  box   I 
cxannned  it.     It  was  a  curious  chest,  covered  with 
carving,  representing  the  celebrated  women  of  the 
Bd)lo,  amid  a  foliage  of  flowers  and  fruits  •  dn^t 
and  moths  were  silently  consuming  that  domestic 
monument  of  anotlier  age.     I  opened  with  some 
d.fTieulty  the  lul,  which  was  swollen  by  damp,  an.l 
1   took  out  an   enormous   bundle  of  i.apers  and 
parchments— old  Pierre's  Icoacy. 

On  going  home,  I  examined"  the  manuscripts. 
The  oldest  of  them  were  in  a  beautiful  running 
han^  of  the  Merovingian  times,  and  dated  from  (ht 
Abbey  of  Elnon,  now  called  Saint  Amand      They 


The  Old  Chest. 

luul  l)ccu  written  in  his  leisure  nonicnts  by  a  pious 
monk,  iind  continued   by  liis  dcsceiultints.     This 
family  tradition  extended  through  several  cenmries 
down  to  ourokl  soldier,  who  luid  liimself,  in  an  un- 
certain hand,  traced  his  recollections  of  Moscow. 
In  a  word,  I  had  before  my  eyes  the  comidctc  his- 
tory of  an  humble  family,  who,  though  always  ob- 
scure, had  yet  been  connected  with  the  important 
events  of  their  several  epochs,  forming  one  phase  of 
those  great  oceans  of  men,  one  of  the  voices  of  those 
immense  multitudes,  one  of    the  wheels  of  those 
powerful  levers,  which  change  and  overturn  the 
face  of  the  world.    I  have  made  some  extracts  from 
this  family  journal,   continued     during   so  many 
ages,  and  it  is  these  pages  which  I  now  present  to 
the  reader. 


■kl 


1  l)y  a  pious 
mis.     Tills 
il  cciituncs 
f,  ill  im  un- 
of  ^Moscow. 
)nij)lctc  his- 
iilways  oIj- 
3  important 
mo  phase  of 
ices  of  tlioso 
els  of  those 
vcrturn  the 
xtraets  from 
ig   so  many 
w  present  to 


NOTES   UK    skim;  Ids, 

MONK   OK   ]:l.von. 


■  I  worLB  hero  record  wliai;  I  have  learned  at  mv 
parents'  liresido  of  tlie  liistory  of  my  ancestors,  and 
jiarticularly  oi'  tlieir  conversion  lo  tlio  faitli  of 
Clirist.  I  desire  tJiat  these  pages,  transmitted  to 
my  descendants,  mny  teacli  thorn  fidelily  to  tlie 
Lord,  who  deigned  to  dra\v  tlicm  from  tlie  bosom 
of  harbarism  and  bring  them  witliin  the  i)alo  of 
the  Catholic  Clinrch.  Onr  Lady  and  St.  Benedict 
assist  mo  in  my -work,  iind  nniy  those  wlio  read  these 
pages  pray  for  mo,  a  miserable  sinner  ! 


13 


I. 

tut;   FRAKKISn   SOLDI  KR—T-IFTII   CKNTURY, 

Cloijion,  Chief  or  King  of  tlic  Salian  tribe,  cher- 
islicd  the  desire  of  penetrating  into  Giiul,  Avlicro 
the  Fniukish    tribes    I'ad    iilrcutly    maile   various 
settlements.       Encamped    on    the  banks  of    the 
Khine,  in  the  thick  and  gloomy  forests  of  Belgium, 
or  among  tho  swamps  of  Batavia,  lie  encpiircd  Avitli 
eager  curiosity  of   that  beautiful   country  Avlicrc, 
over  tho  fertile  fields,  extended  like  a  network,  the 
broad  Koman  roads,  conneeting  one  with  the  other 
important  towns,  defended  by  largo  ramparts  and 
crenelated  towers,     IIo  Avas  told  of  the  riches  con- 
tained in  tho  houses  (*f  the  wealthy  Gauls,  or  Gallo- 
Romans,  who  liad  brought  the  luxury  and  tho  gor- 
geous wealth  of  Italy  to  the  banks  of  tho  Seine  and 
Loire.     These  accounts,  Avhich  caused  explorers  to 
be  sent  every  year  from  beyond  tho  Hhine,  excited 
thccovetousncss  of  the  long-haired  King  ;  he  trans- 
mitted it  to  his  con'panions,  and  all  formed  the 
project  of  advancing  'nto  Gaul,  and  avenging  tho 
injuries  which  they  lu/1  received  from  the  Roman 
armies.     They  incited  c-.cli  other  by  bitter  taunts, 
by  fierce  defiance,  and  'bus  whetted  their  swords 
and  their  hearts.     Tho  I'sserabled  army,  under  tho 
command  of  Clodiou,  crossed  the  charcoal  foivst, 
ne;ir  Touruay,  and  marched  towards  the  city  of 

Cand)rai. 

14 


Till-  Oiii  (  7,,sf. 


»5 


JKNTUnY. 

11  tribe,  t'licr- 
Giiul,  Avhcro 
iiaUo   viirious 
aiiks  of    fclio 
s  of  Belgium, 
iKjuirod  Avith 
u'.ilry  where, 
network,  the 
ith  the  other 
i-ainparts  and 
■le  riches  con- 
luls,  or  GaUo- 
:  and  the  gor- 
Lho  Seine  and 
1  explorers  to 
Ihine,  excited 
ing ;  he  trans- 
1  formed   tlio 
avenging  the 
n  the  Roman 
hittcr  taunts, 
their  swords 
my,  under  the 
liarcoal  forest, 
Is  the  city  of 


The  peaceful  inhal)il;inls  ;aw  with  terror  (liis 
horde  of  Ijarbitriaus,  wiic-i^  \  ery  ii,s])ect  Vv-au  f  riglit  fiil. 
Of  tall  and  robust  slatiiiv,  they  fastened  their 
tawny  iiair  over  (heir  foreluads.  and  let  it  Call 
down  their  backs,  like  a  Jior.se";;  iaii.  'I'hey  had  n» 
other  clotliing  ncr  armor  tlsaii  ;■.  long  linen  gtirmcn^ 
fitting  close  to  their  bodies  ;  from  llu'lr  ginllo  hung 
Ji  large  sword,  and  they  held  in  their  liaml  either  an 
axe,  Avhich  from  them  way  call  Fraiikish,  or  u  pike 
curved  like  a  fish-hook.  All  Iheso  men  were  pas- 
eiomitely  fond  of  why-,  in  the  midst  of  battle, 
■wounded,  mutilated,  tliey  remained  standing,  aj)- 
parcntly  insensible  lo  pain,  and  using  their  hist 
Birength  to  deal  tJieir  c;:emy  ii  (Inal  l)low. 

"Who  can  tell  the  fear,  the  ine.\]>restible  anguisli 
of  the  faithful  friciuls  of  Jo:u;.t  Clirist,  when  Ihcy 
Kaw  that  horde  of  p.;gans  descending,  furious  and 
implacable,  on  that  oonntry  recently  conquered  to 
the  dominion  (>f  the  Good  Shepherd  ?    'J'lic  Chris- 
tians fled  before  them,  and  took  refuge  in  gloomy 
caverns,  there  to  assist  ;it  the  holy  mysteries.    When 
the  barbaiians  succeeded  in  (ii  ling  any  of  them, 
they    lashed     them    Avith    whips    or    slew    them 
•with      their     HW(n-ds.        The     greater    number, 
v/ho      had      hidden     in     subterranean    passages, 
perished   there   fi'om    suffocation.      Ifenco    there 
were  no  more  priests,  no  mure  saciilices  :  the  traces 
of  the  divine    worshi])    everywhere    disappeared. 
Some  were   cast  down  from  the  top  of  tottering 
ruins,   otliers   were  cotisumed   by  flames.     Some, 
however,  survived   and    persevered,  strengthenino" 
each  other  l)y  mutual  exhortations,  so  as  not  to  fail 
at   the  final   moment.     In   overcoming  nature  in 
obedience  to  religion,  it  was  sweet  for  them  to  think 


i6 


Tlu   Oulitu-^t. 


lllllt  ill   It;.:  t  llu'N  ^slunild  lin-l  :    ;:iavr  ill   lllf    Ih.SOII' 

of  tlu'ir  comUiy.      "  Why  ^hoiiM  ur  wisli/'^  tiii'l 
Uiev,  "li»  Kiirvlvc   uiir   holy  ivli,i,a<)u  ?    Is  v.  mil 
better  for  u^  lo  dif  uilli  lior  ?  "     Whoever  fnun 
fc:ir  abiimloncd  liis  fiiitli  wiia  hold  us  giicriloglouf. 
He  wlio  liiid  Iho  coiinijrc  io  iicconuiliKh  Ibc  saiTidco 
waa  proehiimcd  a  victor  ami  ;i  coiKiueror.     I'rk'sls 
clad  in  their  VL'stmcnts  vvcro  seen  falling  at  the  foot 
of  (he  altar  ;  anil,  iiinong  the  eoii)se.j  K-allored  lien- 
and  tlieroou  tlio  ground,  they  v.crc  rceofaiized  by 
their  Baeerdotal  ornanient:^     I'.uL  thi.s  impious  fury 
'vas   not  directed   against   the  i)ricKts  alone  :  the 
whole  i)eople  v.ero  condcnuied  to  nlaughter.      The 
lav/  of  God  and  that  of  humanity  were  at  cnec  vio- 
lated.    .     .     .     The  blood  Hpilled  in  the  churches 
remained  there  fitaguant.      iso  one  came  to  remove 
the  dead  and  give  them  burial.      Land  of  (lanl, 
Ihou  dids-t  tints  expiate  thy  former  ferocity.* 

Among  these  tierce  pagans  Ava!4  a  Foldier,  of  ob- 
gcuro  origin,  but  valiant  and  v.orthy  (f  flio.name  of 
Franh,  wdiich  means  proud,  brave,  fierce,    (iuiubcr, 
ihirf  v.ashisnanu'.  hadtaheuanacti\e  part  in  all 
tlie  conte.^trf  lu'twceu  the  Pranhs  an.l  the  Roman 
legion^t;   and,   entering  witli   his  comiyaniouri   the 
town  of  Cambray,  lie  expected  t )   obtain  a  large 
b,)(,ly.     Thev   advanced   towards   :i  chapel,    dedi- 
cated to  thc'Saviour,  where,  it  v.as  said,  tho  piety 
of  the  Chrlslians  had  collected  precious   vessels, 
tissues  of  silk  and  gold,  destined  lo  envelop  the 
bodies  of  the  saints.     Gunthev,  being  lirst,  forced 
the  door,  which,  coming  off  the  hinges,  •[)resenied 
to  tlio  cruel  eyes  of  the  victors  a  iiitial)le  speehicle. 


*This  passjigc  is  lo  Ik>  foun.l  in  \\\<^  Clironiclo  of  Bal.lcrio. 


'/'//<■  O/iW'usf. 


17 


(lie    linsull' 
iisll,''   Cl'ic'il 

I.^  ir.  !iut 
jcvcr  from 

ifrik'git)ue. 
lie  SiicrificG 
r.  Priosls 
;at  tliofoot 
.Uoivd  licre 

iipiuuH  fury 
ulouc  :  the 
iter.  Tho 
it  once  "vio- 
10  cliurclics 
0  to  remove 
1(1  of  (liinl, 
.•ity.''= 

(lier,  of  ol>- 

<lio. iiaitio  of 

.    (luiulicr, 

part  in  all 

the  Roman 

[)Mni(ms   llu' 

.aiu  ;i  large 

lapel,    'locli- 

d,  tin  piety 

ous   vessels, 

envelop   the 

lirst,  forcc'.l 

's,  present etl 

)lc  spechicle. 

!  of  Baldcrio. 


Women  ami  old  men,  who  lillcd  tli(>  chapel,  were 
jirostrale  on  tlie  stones,  whieli  tliey  watered  witli 
tlieir  tcai's.  The  wiiile-Iiaired  priest  was  at  Ihc 
altar,  kneeling  heforc  the  silver  taherr.aelo,  which 
contained  tlii.  body  and  blood*  of  tho  Saviour. 
lie  was  repeating  aloud,  in  the  name  of  that  de- 
solate iH'ople,  the  I'enilential  I'salms.  When 
Gunther  entered,  the  jjcople  rose  (umultuously, 
the  terrified  women  ser^'anied,  the  men  tried  to  op- 
jioso  tho  young  soldier  with  their  feeble  arms. 
(JuiiLher  raised  the  terrilile  axe,  two  women  and  an 
old  man  rolled,  bloody  corpses,  at  his  feet ;  he  passed 
over  their  bodies,  and  walked  towards  the  altar,  at- 
tracted by  tho  silver  which  glittered  in  thesunlight. 

Tho  priest  elasi)ed  the  tabernacle,  and  sought  to 
miiko  for  it  u  rampart  of  his  body.  .  .  .  lint  all  in 
vain.  .  •  .  As  a  holocaust  victim,  his  blood  staiiu'd 
the  altar-stone.  When  the  work  of  blood  and 
])illago  was  ended,  Gunther  looked  around  him.  In 
the  shade  of  ii  pillar  lie  saw  a  young  girl  who  had 
escaped  the  sword,  and  who,  i)alc!  with  fear,  wit!i 
closed  eyes  and  hands  clasped,  seemed  to  await  tho 
fatal  blow.  Guntliei  ran  towards  lier,  and,  seizing 
her  by  her  long  fair  hair,  he  dragged  her  to  the 
middle  of  the  chapel,  erying  out  : 

*•  This  is  my  part  of  the  booty  !  " 

"  Be  it  so,"'  said  the  other  soldiers. 

But  tho  captive,  throwing  1  rc^  If  at  his  feel, 
said,  in  a  tone  of  anguish  : 

"  Would  to  God  that  I  were  amongst  the  dead,  like 
my  mother,  my  father,  and  my  brol;her,  v.iiom  thou 
hast  just  slain  ! '" 

And  she  pointed  with  lier  hand  to  the  corpses  of 
those  whom  Gunther  had  struck  down. 


I8 


The  Old  Chest. 


•'Four  nolliinir,  woiimn,"'  answered  nuiitliov 
coldly,  "thy  fiile  .-^Imll  l)o  loan  hursli  lliim  ilioii 
tliinkost.  1  will  sell  thoo  iiM  sorvant  to  tin  wilV^ 
of  Cliullun,  our  cliiof,  uinl  tliuii  wilt  Bpin  her  wool 
and  flax." 

So  sayinp,  lie  ltd  his  slave  to  a  house  whose 
owners  he  had  driven  away  ;  hut,  as  they  were 
uhout  to  enter,  they  were  met  hy  u  woman,  wlu> 
was  venerahlo  at  oneo  from  her  old  age,  her 
white  hair,  and  grave  and  austere  faee. 

This  matron  liravely  advanced,  and,  pushing 
Gunther  aside,  she  took  in  her  arms  the  young 
cai)tive,  who  clung  to  her  like  the  ivy  which 
twines  its  delicate  stems  around  the  tree  which 
Bcrves  for  its  support. 

"  Let  go  my  slave  !  "  cried  Gunther.  "  She  he- 
longs  to  me  hy  the  right  of  war.  I  cliose  her 
as  my  part  oi  the  hooty.  Let  her  go,  1  tell 
thee  f  I  want  to  sell  her  to  Ligoude,  the  wife 
of  our  king." 

"  Thou  wouldst  sell  her  1 ''  replied  the  old 
woman  sorrowfully.  "  Sell  my  Ida,  the  daughter 
of  my  daughter,  the  daughter  of  martyrs  !  Sell 
a  Christian  maiden  to  a  harbarous  queen  !  Well, 
man,  I  can  buy  her  from  thee.  I  will  give  thco 
whatever  thou  and  thine  have  left  me— some 
jewels,  a  farm  on  the  hanks  of  the  Escaut,  a  herd 
of  oxen— I  will  give  all  for  my  daughter's  freedom. 
Accept,  Sicumber,  accei)t  my  offer,  and  a  moihei-'s 
blessing  will  fall  on  thee  everywhere." 

The  Prankish  soldier  reflected.  Wealth  nnd 
property  were  offered  to  him,  who  had  been  hither- 
to poor,  and  possessir"  nothing  but  his  soldier's 
coat,     lie  did  not  hesitate  about  accejiting  it,  but 


Tlic  lV,f  Chest. 


»9 


I    fluiiflic 

Ihaii  ilioii 

Lo  \\\K  wifo 

ill  licr  wool 

onso  wlioao 
1  tlii-y  wiMV 
onmn,  who 

I  ago,  licr 
,'t'. 

(1,    pusliing 

the    young 

ivy   wliicli 

tree  wliicli 

"Slic  1)C- 

[  olioso    her 

go,  1    toll 

Ic,  the  wifo 

:«(l  llio  old 
lio  dtmgliter 
rtyrs  !  Soil 
ecu !     Well, 

II  give  ill 00 
mc — same 

caiit,  ii  herd 
}r's  froodom. 
\  u  moiliei"'8 

Woiilth  mid 
boon  hilhor- 
hirf  soldior'H 
•ting  it,  hut 


lio  wished,  at  Mie  ^iiine  lime,  (n  secure  to  liitnself 
irrovociilily  llie  pu, c  -ion  ol' tlie.>e  gt)0(ls.  'I'lien-- 
fore  he  aiiswereil  eulijly,  "1  ri'tuse,  and  I  keep  niy 
hlave." 

'•  What,  then,  wonllst  thou  havo?"eriod  15a,  ido 
tearfully.  '*  WouMst  thou  have  my  freedom  ?  I 
will  ho  thv  .slave— I  will  .-erve  thee  ;  hut  let  Ma  ho 
free." 

•'That  cannot  he,"  said  (Junther.  '•  I  wi.sii  tliy 
daughter  to  stay  v.ith  me,  fur  1  would  marry  her." 

"  Thou  !— a 'soldier  !  U  it  possihle  ?  'Caii  I 
sanction  the  aliiamo  cf  Christ  with  Helial  ?     Xo, 


never 


I" 


'•  Clioo.^o  I  If  thou  dost  refuse,  I  will  hcU  Ida  to 
Clodion,  my  master;  I  will  take  possession  of  thy 
goodH,  and  liioii  liiyself  shalt  he  my  slave.  If  thou 
dost  aeeopt  my  olfer,  I  will  at  oneo  marry  Ida 
according  to  the  manner  of  the  Franks,  and 
I  will  he  a  faithful  liii.si)an.l  to  her,  for  she  jileases 
me."' 

Uagondo  hcsought  him  in  vain.  She  could  ohtaiii 
nothing,  and  her  grandcinld  was  forced  lo  ol)ey  iiie 
will  of  the  victor.  Ida  oidy  ohtained  hy  her  tears 
that  the  hlcssiiig  of  a  priest  should  sanctify  their 
marriage,  in  which  tlie  hride  swore  fidelity  to  her 
hushand  hel'oro  Christ,  and  the  hridegroom  took 
as  witness  the  idols  dear  to  the  Teutons. 

It  was  thus  that  Gnuther,  the  Frankish  s(ddier, 
planted  in  Gaul  the  foundation  of  his  family.  l»y 
taking  a  wife  and  capturing  lands. 

After  some  years  Ida  gave  birth  to  a  son,  and 
siie  her?elf,  like  Rachel  v.l  (d<i  at  the  birth  of  her 
dear  Benjamin,  was  brought  to  the  verge  of  the 
grave.      In  i)resence  of  her  grandmolli(  r.  IJagonde, 


It 


20 


Tfw  Old  CInst, 


hIic  tdolv  lu  I'  I'liilil  ill  her  iinii.-:,  iiml  hmIiI,  in  n, 
<l\iii{j  Vdico,  '•  T-nnl  (iml  Aliiii^'lity,  my  I'l'nyi  n 
liiiNo  nut  tilitiiiiu  il  lliiil  till'  !iii.--l"iiii(l  uImiiii  tlidii 
(litlst  i'liuoso  I'lir  me  liii.i  ciiilinurcl  lliy  law  ;  Imt, 
here  is  tlio  diiid  whom  I  tiskotl  of  (luo  with  tio  many 
tears.  I  give  Iiitii  In  IIkc,  I  coisicratc  him  to 
tht'c.  Lord,  let  him  he  a  Chrisliaii.  ami  ht  him 
not  lielie  the  .^afrcd  character  which  1  am  ahout  to 
imi)riiiL  on  him  liy  holy  haptihin.'' 

And  (ho  poor  mother  jioiircd  the  lioly  water  on 
the  forehead  of  the  new-h  >rn  diiid.  Thi>s  was  the 
last  act  of  lier  life.  Slii'  died  next  day,  mourned 
ulike  by  lit  r  |i,i";ni  hii^li;:nd  and  h(  r  Ciiri.-tiau 
grunduiuther. 


1   I 


!!' 


i ' 


Hiiiil,  in  ii 
my  pi'iivcM 
\Umiiii  lliitit 
_V  law  ;  Imt- 
ith  t^oiuuiiy 
'Site  liiiM  to 
ind  K'l  him 
in  alH)ut  to 

1y  Wiilfi"  on 

'liit!  WHS  till" 

ly,  nidunicd 

r  (Miriisliiiii 


II. 


iiii:  (oNVKUsiox — SIXTH  okniI'iiv. 

OoNTUAN,  tilt'  soil  ul'  Ida  and  (inntini'.  alllioutjli 
having'  ivfi'ivod  at  Ids  l)irlli  llic  soal  tit'  liaplisni, 
was  not  liroiifilit  npa  Cliiisiian.  Mis  <:randnintln'r, 
Hairondt',  had  ilicd  hcl'oiv  he  iiad  t'oint'  to  tlic  aj^tMil' 
reason,  and  hf  was  cdiioati'tl  liv  his  t'alhtf  in  tlio 
c'iMU'l  and  tlisscdiitf  fn-tonis  of  pairaiiisni.  Like  all 
yoiinj,'  iiK'H  t)f  tlio  Franlxish  racf,  hf  nndt'it'd  iidli- 
tary  wrvico ;  ho  fou;:lit  in  tiie  war  against  tho 
linr;;undians  iinil  the  Gttths  in  Spain,  and,  like  all 
his  I'oinpanions,  ho  took  ])art  in  tho  sacrik'fiions 
festivals  and  iniprri;  worshi[)  oUVrt'd  to  tho  ^^otls  of 
(rcrmany.  lie  l)olic'Vi'd  in  I'ato,  in  niagic,  and 
soniolinies,  to  render  his  ,1,'ods  t'avoralde,  ho  wont  to 
olTer  saorilioo  on  tho  hill  of  IJiandin,*  where 
Toulatos  hatl  a  coleliralotl  teni))io.  O  the  inorey 
of  the  L'U'd  !  On  that  same  hill  where  the  devil 
was  worshippoil  tnir  hlossod  Fatlier  Saint  Amand 
eonseerated  a  monastery  to  tho  i,dory  t)f  Jesus  Christ. 
'Pimt  place,  once  ahominahle,  is  henoeforth  sanctified. 
I,  Sorgius,  who  write  these  lines,  have  seen  that 
honso  of  prayer,  and  l)lesse(l  the  name  of  Ood. 

Now,  one  day — Clovis,  the  illustiious  kinf»  of  tlic 
Pranks,  was  tiien  rei<;ning — one  day,  as  Gontran 
was  going  from  Camhrai  to  liis  little  farm,  ho  saw 


•'•  Kuai-  (iui.d. 


f'^ 


I 


22 


The  Old  Chest. 


on  the  road  an  old  m.ni,  who,  from  liis  long  tunic 
and  the  cro';,s  which  hung  on  his  l)rca3t,  lie  recog- 
nized as  a  Christian  i)ricst.  It  was,  in  fact,  tho 
l)iou8  Berthold,  the  coniiKinion  and  brother  of 
Vi'dastus,  Bishop  of  Arras  and  Camhrai.  Tho 
priest  went,  as  the  Apostles  did  of  old,  from  town 
to  town,  bringing  the  good  tidings,  and  preaching, 
at  the  peril  of  his  life,  tho  lessons  of  his  Divine 
Master.  Perhaps  Gontran  knew  him  ;  it  may  bo 
that, he  had  l)efore  met  the  ambassador  of  Jesus 
Christ.  However  it  Avas,  at  the  sight  of  the  holy 
old  man  tho  idcdator's  blood  boiled,  aiid,  urged  by 
the  spirit  of  murder,  he  ran  forward,  raii^od  his 
axo,  and  dealt  Bei  thold  a  blow  on  the  forehead.  Ho 
staggered  back  wounded,  but,  overcoming  the  pain, 
ho  wiped  away  the  blood  which  was  running  down 
his  pale  face,  and  said  to  trontran  in  a  calm  and 
gentle  voice : 

<'My  son,  what  have  I  done  to  thee  ?  "Why  dost 
thou  strike  me  r"' 

"Because  thou  art  the  enemy  of  my  gods,  and 
oonse(iuently  my  enemy." 

"  Thy  enemy  !— I,  my  son  ?  Divine  Goodnesa 
forbid  !  Undeceive  thyself,  lleceivc  my  pardon  ; 
and  houceforth  remember  that  a  soldier  should  not 
strike  an  old  man."' 

So  saying,  Berthold  went  his  way,  although  with 
difficulty.  Gontran  took  another  road,  and  walked 
on  pensively.  He  afterwards  confessed  that,  in 
going  away  from  the  old  i)riost  without  throwing 
himself  at  his  feet  and  asking  his  pardon,  he  re- 
sisted a  holy  voice  which  spoke  in  his  soul— lie 
obeyed  tlio  ancient  enemy,  wlio  incites  to  prido 
those  whom  huiuiJllv  alone  could  save. 


th 

wl 
to 
la! 
ilc 
fla 

IK 

in 
hi 
in 

br 
Tl 
hi 


sti 
th 

or 

B( 

sa 
of 
m 


to 
of 

W! 

be 
pa 
ha 
fr 

ar 


tunic 

.•ccog- 

t,  the 

Lcr  of 

The 

town 

iliing, 

)ivinc 

iiy  b'J 

Jesus 

i  holy 

ed  by 

;d  his 

i.  Ho 

pain, 

down 

n  and 

y  dost 

s,  and 

xlncss 
trdon  ; 
!d  not 

1  with 
v'ulked 
lilt,  in 
•owing 
lie  re- 
ul — lie 
I  prido 


77ic  Old  Chest. 


23 


Two  days  after  this,  Gontran  was  riding  along 
the  banks  of  tlic  Eicaut,  the  nuuldy  waters  of 
which,  swollen  by  heavy  rains,  rushed  along  like  a 
torrent.  On  the  other  bank  was  a  farm,  where 
laborers  were  threshing  wheat  on  the  barn-yard 
lloor.  The  horse,  frightened  by  the  noise  of  tlic 
flail,  began  to  plunge,  and,  obeying  neith(M'  bridle 
nor  spur,  threw  off  his  master,  who  rolled  senseless 
into  the  water.  "When  lie  came  to  life,  he  found 
himself  lying  on  a  bed  of  fleecy  wo(jl ;  a  man  bf^nd- 
ing  over  him  was  v,atching  anxiously  for  his  first 
breath  and  his  first  look.  (lontran  tried  to  rise. 
Tiie  man  took  him  gently  in  his  arms,  and  said  to 
him  kindly  : 

"  Well,  my  son,  how  is  it  with  thee  ?" 
The  sound  of  his  voice  drew^Gontran  from  his 
stupor.  His  eyes  opened,  and,  O  the  goodness  of 
the  Lord  !  the  eyes  of  his  soul  were  at  the  same  time 
opened.  JIc  recognized  the  priest  Berthold — 
Berthold  whose  wet  garments  s'lowcd  that  he  had 
saved  the  life  of  his  would-bo  murderer  at  the  risk 
of  his  own — Berthold  whoso  forehead  still  bore  the 
mark  of  Gontran's  axe. 

"  What !  it  is  thou  ! ''  said  the  soldier—"  thou  !" 
He  dared  not  ?.iy  more,  and  he  turned  his  face 
to  the  wall  to  hide  his  tears. 

It  was  indeed  Berthold,  who,  through  the  mei  -y 
of  the  Lord,  had  saved  the  idolater  as  the  water 
was  about  to  swallow  him  np.  The  holy  priest  had 
been  at  the  farm,  where  some  of  the  laborers,  still 
pagans,  were  preparing  to  receive  the  grace  of 
baptism.  He  had  come  to  instruct  them,  and 
from  an  upper  room  he  had  recognized  Gontran, 
and  had  seen  him  disapi)car  l.>cnealli   the  waves. 


i 


iS 


«li- 


24 


T/ie  Old  Chest. 


tJonsultiiig  only  liin  clinrity,  lu^  i)luiigucl  into  tlic 
river  iinil  brought  Gontran  uuOonscious  to  tlic  shore. 

For  Hovoval  days  G.)ntriin  was  cared  far  hy  tho 
people  of  the  fiirm.  IIj  rcceiN.d  llicir  attentions 
in  silence,  always  ab.sorbed  in  thought.  At  length 
about  the  dawn  of  tlio  fifth  day  lie  rose  and  went  t) 
Ucrthold's  room.  The  ])iio5t  was  kneeling,  with 
hands  raised  to  Iieaven  ;  lie  seemed  as  if  imi)loring 
mercy  of  tho  L:)rd.  Wlien  lie  heard  Gontran's 
steps  lieliind  him,  ho  rose,  held  out  liis  hand,  and 
said  gently  : 

"  Weleome,  my  son.     I  was  vninking  of  thee." 

'•  And  I,  priest,  have  not  ceased  to  think  of  theo 
for  several  days.  Thou  hast  saved  my  lifi — I  who 
would  have  taken  thint.  .Thou  didst  tliat  in  tho 
name  of  Christ,  ami  1  think  that  the  God  who 
makes  thee  so  good  ij  the  true  God.  I  want  to 
believe  in  Christ  :  tell  nio  what  I  must  do.'" 

'•What!  my  ?liild,  my  brother,  thou  wilt  l.o 
ours  ?  I  will  lead  thee  as  a  new  Bhocp  to  the  fold 
of  the  good  Slieplierd,'' 

*•  Priest,  if  I  believe  what  my  grandraotlier  loid 
me  in  iliC  early  days  of  my  ehildhocd,  I  have  al- 
ready received  on  my  head  the  water  which  makes 
Christians  ;  she  said  my  mother  baptized  me.  Theie 
i.j  iit  Cambrai  ii  priest  to  whom  liagomlc  has  oi'- 
ten  related  this. "' 

"God  had  merciful  designs  on  thee;  he  does 
not  grant  to  all  the  same  grace.  lie  d(X'S  reveal  to 
all  his  holy  law  ! "' 

As  ho  said  these  w<}rds,  IJerthold  shed  tear.!  of 
jov.     Gontran  was  looking  at  llu;  erueifix. 

'•  This,  ihen,''  .said  he,  '•  is  the  God  whom  I  must 
henceforth  adore  ?  ' 


% 


% 


3d  into  the 

0  tlic  shore. 

far  by  tlio 

attentions 

At  Icnglli 

nd  wont  to 

}ling,   with 

inij)luring 

(lontnm's 

hand, and 

of  thcc." 
link  of  iheo 
lifi — I  wlio 
,liat   in  tlio 

0  God  who 
I  want  to 

do.'- 

ou  wilt    1.0 
to  tlie  fold 

uother  toid 
I,  I  have  al- 
lich  makes 

1  me.  Theio 
)dc  luui  oi'- 

0  ;  h(>  docs 
!es  reveal  to 

led  tear.!  of 

fix. 

honi  I  )iiu»t 


!' 


77/<'  O/,/  C/us/.  25 

"  Yc.s  niy  dear  son,  it  i.s  il:e  imago  of  ilie  Cod 
who  created  thee,  who  died  to  .<ecuro  for  thee  clertia  I 
life  ;  tlus  is!  the  God  of  eha.ste,  of  meek  and  Imnilile 
souls;  to  serve  him  worthily,  wo  must  have  llie.-im- 
plieity  of  a  child  ar.d  tlie  courage  of  a  mariyr." 
'And  what  oiTerings  does  this  God  demand  ?" 
•Thy  lieari,  my  son  ;  none  oilier.  But  we  shall 
continue  this  coiiversation  later  ;  now,  content  thy- 
self with  saying  often,  from  the  depth  of  thy  soul  : 
'True  God,  grant  that  I  ni:iv  know  iind  iove 
thee.' "' 

This  prayer,  which  Gontran  had  ou  his  lip.^  till 
the  hist  moment  of  his  life,  was  undoubtedly  enica- 
cious  ;  for  only  11  very  few  months  had  elai).-:ed  1h'- 
foro  the  idolater  received  the  rile  of  bajnism,  tin; 
Eucliaristic  bread,  and  the  s.itramcnt  whicli  give.^ 
light  and  strength  to  the  Christian.     Then  the  old 
man  died  in  him,  and  on  his  ruins  arose  tI;o  new 
man,  hrought  forth  by  grace  and  docilo  to  its  in- 
spirations.    The  new  Christian  was  s\.n  assiduous 
in  the  t.-.nples,  faithful  in  prayer,  visiting  with 
fervent  tears  the  tond)s  of  the  martyrs  ;  now  (ho 
mysterious  cryi)t   where   Saint    Piat  received   his 
death-blow  from  the  hands  of    a    T'oman    lictor, 
again  tiic  fountain  near  which  Saint  Chrysole  was 
beheaded  ;  or,  following  liko  a  child  the  footsteps  of 
Bcrthold,  his  father  in  the  faith,  he  accompanied 
him  in  his  apostolic  wanderings  tlirough  the  coun- 
tries of  the  Atrctates,  of  the  Xervians,  and  of  the 
Menapians,  (o  whom  the  fiiiliful  priest  sougiit  to 
bring  the  mild  light  of  the  Gospel.     Xot  daring  to 
aspire  to  the  sacerdotal  honors,  Gontran  shared  the 
])erilons  life  of  the  missi(jnavy,  going  from  cliv  l(t 
city,  from  town  to  town,  seeking,  in   the  name  of 


1 


I 


II I 


26 


77/,'  Ol.iCJuit. 


his  diviiu'  MiisUT,  a  Houl  wliifl.  ho  lulgl.t  v:in:<..Tn 
from  slavery,  aiul  l-rin-  fonli  to  ll>o  liberty  of  the 

chihlreii  of  <ln(i. 

Lord,  I  iiin  over-.vhelnunl  with  gratitude  and  love, 
thinking   of    those  saintly  men  Avhom  thou  hast 
sent  to  barl)arian?,  to  worsliippers  of  the  devil,  in  u 
word,  to  our  ancestors,  to  In'ing  them  to  thee,  aiut 
Fccnre  to  them  peace  and    salvation,      ^^hat  did 
they  not  suffer,  thcFC  men  of  whom   the  world  was 
uot'  worthy!     Fatigue,  toiLsomc    and    continual 
journevs  through  wild  countries,  hunger,  thirst,  the 
sacrifice  of  every  good,  the  rending  asunder  of  those 
ties  dearest  to  "the  liuman  heart,  outrage,  moehery, 
the  distrust  even  of  those  whom  they  came  to  con- 
vert ;  at  length,  and  but  too  often,  tortures  and 
dc-ith  •  such  has  been  the  h.L  of  the  aml^assadors  of 
the  living  God.     0  charity  of  a  God  which  he  has 
beou  pleased  to  communicate  to  his  creatures  !     0 
charity  of  creatures  who  sought  to  make  known  to 
their  brethren  that  (U.d,  so  great  and  s-o  good! 
my  soul  is  lost  in  wonder,  and  I  cun  only  repeat, 
"  God  is  admirable  in  his  works  !    God  is  admirable 
in  his  saints!" 

This  life  of  danger  and  fatigue  was  that  ot 
B^rthold,  and  Guutran  shared  it  wit!i  faithful  de- 
votion. For  ten  years  he  followed  him,  as  loving 
as  a  son,  as  submissive  as  a  slave,  bound  to  the 
missionary's  lot  by  that  indestructil)le  chain  wluc.x 
unites  virtuous  Irarts,  and  which,  broken  on  earth, 
Avill  be  more  strongly  renewed  in  heaven.  Bert  hold 
was  now  very  old  ;  but  ho  would  not  gtop,  his  rest 
was  elsewhere;  and  he  repeated  with  Saint  laul, 
"  Woe.  to  mo  if  I  convert  not.  '  " 
Urged  by  his  zeal,  he  went  to  preach  to  the  in- 


tr-aai^ 


it   VU'.l;^iim 

rty  of  the 

1  ami  love, 
tliiin  liiii^t 

(lovil,  \i\  11 

ihco,  iind 
AVliiit  did 
world  was 
continual 
thirst,  tlio 
or  of  those 
,  inoclvcry, 
mc  to  con- 
I'turcs  and 
assadoi's  of 
lich  he  has 
itiu'cs !  0 
3  known  to 
1  Ro  good  ! 
Illy  repeat, 
!  iulniirahlo 

lis  that  of 
laithful  dc- 
1,  as  loving 
and  to  the 
hain  whioli 
■n  on  earth, 
,  Bcrthold 
op,  his  rest 
^aint   Paul, 

1  to  the  in- 


The  OI,n'Jicsf.  2-j 

habitants  of  a  village  .situated  o!i  that  hill  which 
still  hi-ars  thcnaiiiL'  of  tliu  ancionl  trilm  of  Cal- 
tiaiis;  •■■  hilt  these  uiiliappy  idolators  refused  to 
Juar  liiiu  ami  chased  luin  from  the  villaEre  with 
stones.  Gontran  cntild  not  defend  Ids  master 
as  he  was  unarme<l.  r.erlhold  wished  for  no 
other  sword  than  wonU:,  no  other  violence  than 
that  of  ],crsuasioii.  They  liotli  iled,  followed  by 
the  curses  of  a  senseless  peojjle.  Gontran  su])- 
portod  the  <dd  man  ;  but,  after  they  had  gone  about 
ii  mile,  ]5erth(dd  said  to  Inm  : 

"Let  us  stop,  my  son,  my  strength  fails  me." 
He  sat  down  under  an  oak,  on  the  moss  which  Iho 
Avinter  had 'sjiared,  anil  Gontran  watched  him  in 
real  alarm,  for  it  seemed  to  him  that  Deatli  had 
idrcady  set  his  seal  on  that  ])aUid  face  and  those 
trend )ling  ]i2)S. 

'•  Fatlier,"  said  he,  "' thou  art  sulTering.  .   .   ,"* 
"A  little,  mv  son:  the  ilesh  grows  weak.    .   .  ., 
I  thirst!'' 

Gontran  ran  to  a  l)rook  whoso  murmur  was 
heard  as  it  ilowed  through  a  thicket  of  holly,  its 
water  swollen  by  the  Xovendjcr  rains.  lie  filled 
tl'.e  gourd  and  l)rought  it  to  Bcrthold.  Tlio  latter 
sought  to  raise  it  to  his  lips  ;  but  lie  stojjped. 

'•' My  thirst  will  soon  be  quenched,  .  .  ."said 
he.  "Gontran,  my  son,  my  race  is  run,  I  feel  it. 
.  .  .  Pray  for  me,  ami  receive  my  blessing  for 
all  thy  love  and  care.  Mayest  tliou  be  blessed 
a  thousand  times  !  N'ow  let  us  pray  for  those  poor 
idolaters  !  "  So  saying,  he  began  the  Lord's  Prayer, 
be  repeated  it  several  times,  mingling  with  it  ar- 

•  Near  Oasscl,  in  the  Dupartcmcnt  dn  Nord. 


— — tr*Mwr«mp« 


28 


The  Old  Clicst. 


(lent  supplications  for  the  pnpans.  .  .  .  Atlcngtli 
liis  voice  ceased.  .  .  .  Gontrun,  avIio  was  sup- 
porting him,  looked  at  him  in  torrf«r,  .  .  . 
felt  his  motionless  pulsc,his  icy  heart,  .  .  .  Tho 
missionary  was  no  more,  and,  faithful  to  tlie  chanty 
which  had  guided  his  life,  even  in  dyin-,  ho 
thought  not  of  himself. 


I 


At  length 
O  Wilri  sup- 
r,     .     .     . 

.  .  Tho 
the  c'liarity 

dyinj:,  lie 


III. 


TIIK   MONK — SKVENTir   CKNTfRY. 

GoNTRAN"  niiirricd  a  young  Cli.istian  pirl,  and 
ended  liis  days  in  peace  and  in  works  of  i)ioty.  I, 
Scrgiiis,  am  lii.s  grandson,  and  it  was  from  liimsolf 
that  I  learned  the  particulars  of  h>3  conversion. 
lie  was  won  to  Jesus  Christ  by  all-potent  charity, 
■and  entire  tribes  of  savage  pagans  were  conquered 
by  tlio  saniL  arms.  Now,  this  Avholc  country  is  un- 
der the  blessed  yoke  which  the  Saviour  Jesus  canio 
to  Ijring  to  the  Avorld  ;  tho  Xervian  forests  are 
l)CopU'd  Avitli  })ious  tribes,  who  practise  labor 
and  prayer  in  common,  according  to  tlic  laws  of 
God  and  of  Saint  Benedict.  May  the  God  of  mercy 
bo  ever  blessed  !  Neither  Jupiter  nor  Teutates 
now  have  altars  in  these  regions,  so  long  bowed 
down  under  the  Avorship  of  false  gods  ;  the  spirits 
of  evil  no  longer  haunt  the  cross-Avays  or  the  foun- 
tains. .  .  .  Christ  alone  reigns,  llis  is  tlic 
empire  !  And,  if  the  descendants  of  the  Gauls  still 
kneel  under  tho  oak,  it  is  to  venerate  the  blessed 
Mother  of  God,  Avhom  the  shepherds  place  among 
tho  foliage.  ...  If  an  altar  be  raised  in  Avild 
and  waste  places,  it  has  been  sanctifled  by  the  blood 
of  tho  great  victim  of  Calvary.  .  .  .  Fly,  fly,  ye 
l)owcrful  enemies,   gods  of  hell,    who   ruled   oi'r 


!:'J 


■      ^ 

I     i 


30 


The  Old  Chi  St. 


anccstory,  lly  '  Tlic  Lidii  of  tlio  trilic  (if  .liidu  lias 
ci)ii((ucrc(l. 

I  liavo  not,  lil\(>  my  fatliprs,  any  AvarliUo  ad'on- 
turos  nor  Ktriking  coiivcrsioii  to  rolatu. 

Born  witliiu  tlic  fold  of  tlio  .Saviour  Jesus,  I  was 
nouri.^licd  at  my  niotJicr'.s  \\\ko.  with  llio  milk  of 
lioly  doctrine.  I  liavc  been  told  (hat,  when  a  littlo 
child,  I  wus  seized  with  an  illness  which  threatened 
my  life.  ...  I  wa.s  goiiii;  to  die.  .  .  .  ^^y 
mother,  my  father,  my  grandmotlu'r,  stood  round 
my  cradle,,  and  watched  for  the  siffn.s  of  approach- 
ing death  on  my  face.  .  .  .  The  breath  of  this 
mortal  life  was  tremhling  on  my  lips,  when  my 
mother  threw  herself  on  her  knees  before  u  crucifix, 
and  cried  :  "Lord  Jesus,  wIk;  didst  restore  the  son 
of  11  poor  Avidow,  eavo  my  child,  and  I  give  him  to 
thee— I  dedicate  him  to  thy  altar  !*"■' 

Afy  father  and  my  grandmotiier  conlirmed  (his 
vow,  and  the  Lord  accepted  it.  The  gates  of  heaven 
closed,  a  peaceful  sleep  came  upon  me,  and  knit 
again  the  bonds  Avhich  bound  me  to  earth  !  .  .  . 
I  lived,  and  when  I  had  attained  the  age  of  seven 
years  (it  Avas  the  year  of  our  Lord  fitn)  my  parents 
brought  me  io  the  monastery  of  Ehum,  not  far 
from  the  city  of  Tournay.  A  thick  forest  cu  -ered 
the  place  which  the  servant  of  God  had  humbly 
sidicited  from  tlie  charity  of  King  Dagobcrt ;  on 
a  si)ot  which  had  been  cleared  with  much  diHiculty 

*  I  even  observe,  in  the  rule  of  Saint  Benedict,  that  they  did 
not  fear  to  consecrate  children  before  they  came  to  the  age 
of  reason  ;  the  parents,  without  fear  of  t3-rannizing  over  them, 
liolievod  that  tliey  could  dedicate  themselves  to  f!o<l  from  tlieir 
( laiUe.  (Bossuet,  "Sermons  sur  les  Obligations  do  TEtat  reli- 
gieux.") 


The  OU  C/ust. 


3« 


.liiilii  has 
ko  lid'  011- 

3118,  I  was 

0  milk  of 
I'll  ■.!  littlo 
lircalciit'tl 

.    .   >ry 

()(I  rmiml 
iliproacli- 
th  of  this 
■\vlicn  my 

1  cnicinx, 

I'O  tllC  KDll 

vc  liim  to 

rmod  (his 

of  heaven 

and  knit 

t 

•        •         •  • 

of  seven 
ly  parents 
1,  not  fur 
t  CO  •eretl 
1  humbly 
3bert ;  on 

diilicnlty 

lat  they  did 
)  to  the  age 
;  over  tliciu, 
Ifroni  tlicir 
3 1'Etat  reli- 


wus  erected  ular^'c  lioiise,  built  of  wood  and  covered 
with  Ihateh  ;  a  liell,  hiiii;:r  <>n  the  top  of  the  build- 
ing, rang  out  the  hours  (if  prayer,  and  warned  the 
religious,  laborers,  oi'  shepherds  afar  o(T  in  the 
fields  to  raise  their  souls  from  earth  and  unite  in 
spirit  Willi  tlieir  iu'etliren  jirostrate  before  (Jod. 
We  Avere  received  at  the  door  of  the  monaslery  by  u 
monk,  who  salntfd  us  and  letl  \\^  lo  Ihc  guest- 
chamber.  After  some  UKHiients'  rest,  wo  were  con- 
ducted to  the  chiireh,  v.here  the  jirior  awaited  n.-. 
ISly  mother  wept.  I  rememlier  her  tears  I  i\ly 
father  took  my  hand  and  led  mo  to  the  altar,  where 
lie  made  mo  kneel  before  the  prior,  saying,  "I, 
Landoald,  a  free  man,  ami  Clothsinde,  my  wife, 
give  and  dedicate  to  Cod,  Our  Lady,  and  SI.  Beiie- 
"dicl,  tlirough  your  hands,  most  revereml  lord,  our 
son,  Sergiiis,  the  lirst-born  of  our  mai  riago,  that  in 
this  monastery  of  ]']]iioii  he  may  serve  Clod  in  the 
religicnis  proiV.aeioii,  and,  if  it  jdeuse  his  great 
mercy,  in  the  sacerdotal  niinislry." 

The  prior  answered  kindly.  He  cut  otT  a  lock  of 
my  hair.  I  took  off  my  little  coat,  I  was  clad  in  a 
gown  and  a  black  cowl,  and  from  that  moment  I 
•was  an  oblate  of  the  monastery  of  Elnon. 

The  Lord,  Avho  had  undoubtedly  accepted  my 
mother's  vow,  gave  me  inclinations  conformable  to 
my  destiny,  and  he  granted  to  my  mother  a  happy 
fruitfulness  which  repaid  her  for  her  sacrifice. 

Since  my  seventh  year,  I  have  never  left  this 
lionse,  and  I  have  become  an  unworthy  religious  of 
the  Order  of  St.  Benedict  a.nd  a  still  more  un- 
worthy member  of  the  sacerdotal  body.  I  have 
nothing  to  relate  of  myself;  my  life  has  jiasscd 
tran()uil   and   oliscure,   leaving  no  trace  amongst 


Tlf 


■w 


38 


77/r  Old  Oust. 


iiu'ii,  nor  ill  my  own  nii'mory,  wlicro  the  diiys,  each 
likii  till"  (illur,  iiiv  liisl  ill  (lie  uiiirnrm  sluMlcsof  tlio 
jniHt,  Tlii'(>ii;;li  (iliodieiuu  I  liavo  taken  ]i:iit  in  I  ho 
hiboruof  M-y  brt'thren,  tlio  counigeoua  work  of  the 
lahorers,  the  censelesH  toil  of  (he  writers,  tlio  iiiios- 
lolic  labors  of  the  iiii-^ionaricH,  Imt  I  luivp  ahviiys 
Been  iny.'-clf  last  of  all  in  nurit,  in  labor,  and  in 
virliii'.  0,1  r  bk'.^M'd  father  has  ordained  that  to 
prayer,  iiu'ditation,  llu)  .sin/^jinL;  of  hymns  and  of 
l)salms,  Avo  add  the  eiiitnrc  i  i'  ktters  and  the  labor 
of  our  hands.  Everywhere  tlie  sonsoC  St.  Beiiedlet 
till  llio  waste  and  barren  lands,  fertilize  the  nioora, 
dry  up  im]im'o  swanijis,  and  ^dlier  around  Ihcir 
]i()or  inonasleries  tlie  dwrliinj^s  of  iiicclninics  and 
of  laljorcrs,  to  whom  the  cross  serves  as  a  rallyinj^- 
jioint  and  a  refuge. 

AVho  can  fathom  the  det^igns  of  rroviilenee  ? 
reriiai):^  tlieso  villages,  built  in  the  shado'v  of  the 
cross,  may  become  populous  towns,  and  Gaul,  like 
Italy,  shall  see  smiling  i)lains  surmounted  by  the 
towers  and  battlements  of  lier  wealthy  cities.  AVe, 
too,  cultivate  these  fields,  bo  long  neglected  or 
devastated  jiy  -war  ;  harvests  now  avuvc  where  for- 
merly arose  a  tlil(\  forest,  the  haunt  of  brigands 
and  of  Avild  l)casts  ;  cottages  aro  hidden  in  the 
shade  of  our  bulfry,  and  mo  seek  to  give  failh, 
light,  and  haiiiiiiie>s  to  th()i:e  Avho  dwell  near  us. 
Other  duties  and  other  labors  besides  these  oeeui)y 
X13  ;  the  Church,  our  mother,  has  kept  the  deposit 
of  ancient  letters,  about  to  perish  in  th.e  storm 
■\vliieli  the  barl>arous  Xorili  let  loose  on  tiie  more 
favorjd  and  uk/IV  brilliant  countiics<f  the  Pouth. 
She  has  kepi,  as  ;•.  in'udent  parent  keejis  for  her 
children,  ;ii''>rluuu  ■which  the  will  cue  day  restore 


The  Old  Oust. 


33 


iivf,  ciich 
ilcHof  the 
trl  ill  I  ho 
rk  of  tlio 
tlio  iipos- 
\v  111  ways 
r,  iiiul  in 
1  thut  lo 
IS  iiiul  of 
(ho  lahoi' 
Ik'iietlict 
10  moors, 
lid  ihcir 
iiic's  iiiul 
ralljiiig. 

viilencc  ? 
)'v  of  Uie 
(iiiil,  like 
il  l»y  tlic 
cs.  AVe, 
Icctod  or 
hero  for- 

hrigaiuls 
n  in  tlio 
vc   f.iiili, 

nciu-  us. 
;o  ocenity 
c  deposit 
lie  .slonu 
I  ho  luoro 
10  Soulli. 
i  for  lur 
:v  rcsluro 


to  tlioin  ;  and  wo,  dovolod  to  stndy  and  rooolloo- 
tion,  proscrvo  for  tlioso  who  hhall  ooiiio  aftor  us 
tho  hoaiiliful  iiispiratioiH  of  (ho  Holy  Fadu-rs  and 
tho  loaniiii-,'  of  iuiti(iiiily.  Wo  transoribo  'oookd 
which  have  oscajK-d  tho  rava<,'os  of  time  and  of  tho 
harhariaiis ;  wo  also  rooord,  in  our  doniostio  aiinaln, 
iiionioralilo  faots  in  tho  livos  of  ^'roat  Korvantn  of 
Clod,  whoi^o  nioniory  and  oxainjilo  odify  us.  .  .  . 
Tho  works  of  tho  saints  t^hoiiid  not  ho  forgotten, 
and  ho  wlio  would  not  lose  ono  of  (hoir  hones 
tihoiild  no  nioro  ])orniit  tho  niomory  of  (hoir  \irtiios 
and  of  their  iniraolos  to  perish  iinion^fst  men. 

Some  ainoiii^  us  write  the  history  of  thO  events 
Avhioli  are  taking  place  in  that  world  in  which  wo 
•  ■•  -  wo  lon^'or  live  :  tho  intrigiios  of  courts,  (ho  revolu- 
tions of  kingdoms,  and  tho  Kiiecessiou  to  thrones, 
so  often  disputed.  Othoru  (each  theolofry,  morals, 
the  olonieiits  of  ycienco,  to  the  yoiiny  scholastics; 
and  v.e  all  ondotivor  to  keep  hiirning  tho  (  <rch  of 
human  and  divine  knowkdpo,  bo  roughly  shaken 
in  these  days  of  wars  and  disasters.  Others,  in 
line,  more  fortunate  than  laborers  or  men  of 
learning,  bear  to  tho  heathen  the  good  tidings  of  sal- 
vation, cultivate  that  vast  field  in  which  reapers  are 
filling  ignorant  and  thirsty  kouIs  wilh  the  true 
science  of  truth  and  of  life.  God — may  his  name 
be  blessed  ! — has  granted  me  tho  grace  sometinios  to 
follow  in  liis  iijiostolio  pilgrimages  our  blessed  father 
and  founder,  Amand,  and  to  be  tho  unworthy  witiiois 
of  the  virtues  of  tho  servant  of  God.  I  followed  him, 
ospoeiully,  along  the  banks  of  tlio  Ilscaut,  amongst 
those  fierce  idolaters  who  inhabit  Blount  IJlandin, 
and  who,  according  to  common  opinion,  owe  the;  ■ 
name  to  the  Vuudals.     I  will  not  relate  tho  won- 


.34 


r/ir  OU  C/hsf. 


(Urn  of  lii.H  |iiiacliiii^',  imr  llic  iiiii-.iclt -i  uilli  uliicli 
it  wiirt  linnimd,  nor  tlii'  (^iifTcriiij;H  wliicli  lu! ciKliiitil 
80  jovfiilly  ill  till'  tiiiiiii'  (if  Ills  (inly  nuislcr,  Jc.'^iih 
C'liri.-t  ;  I  will  iiuTC'ly,  fcr  lli<i.-o  wIkmmiiiu'  iiftcr  ii.-, 
iiamit(^  tlu!  c'onvi'i'.'Mon  wliich  KmI  to  all  tlio  otlicfs, 
hikI  whose  rccoilcctinM  ^till  lives  in  ciircomilry.  I 
iiin  old  iii>\v,  Iiiil  I  lo\o  to  nrall  the  iirodi^'irs  of 
I'lcrcy  wliicli  I  llicn  vitiiessed.  I  repeat  them  lo 
oiir  youn^  hretliivn,  so  that  they  iiiay  Icani  nevt  r 
In  (loiilil,  of  the  fToodnesH  of  tlie  Lord. 

Iiavo,  Count  of  Hasliania,  Avas  Hiill  •,iliiiiL'i'd  in 
the  errors  of  pagaiiisin,  and  lie  insiiiitd  in  his 
vassals,  in  his  eoiiipanions-in-aniis,  and  in  I  ho 
» hase.  a  i)rol'oiiiid  terror,  which  was  jiistilied  hy 
the  lieeutioiisiiess  of  his  morals  and  the  harshiUK} 
of  his  cliaiacter.  lie  was  marrieil  to  a  Chrislian 
ladv,  and  he  had  one  (  hi!il,  an  innoec  nt.  lillle 
(ivaliire,  whose  ]ti'ayer  ami  piirily  were  pieasin;,'  lo 
tiio  Most  ni;,di.  (iod  efisl  an  eye  of  merey  on  tho 
dwcdlin^  of  Havo,  and  he  i-ent  him  the  cross,  which 
is  always  iiie  messenf^er  of  his  merey.  Bavo's  wife 
die('  and  tho  heart  of  tho  licrec  prolligate  was 
hrok  '  I  saw  liim  tlieii,  that  i)affan  on  whom  waa 
]ioircd  fortli  the  penerons  halm  of  tho  cross  ;  ho 
came,  urged  l)y  a  mysterions  power,  to  throw  liim- 
self  at  tho  foot  of  Amand,  -whohO  name  liad  poiio 
forth  tlirough  all  tho  country,  like  the  sweet  scent 
of  a  ripe  Hold  winch  Cod  has  blessed.  Amand 
dwelt  in  tho  monastery  which  ho  had  founded  and 
dedicated  to  the  apostlo  Saint  Peter,  on  !Mount 
Blandin,  and  T  was  with  him.  I  saw  aiiproaching 
a  man  of  tall  stature,  of  fiorco  and  haughly 
coiinlona'ice,  contracted  hy  oTcrwlielming  sorrow. 
lie  came  hurriedlv  into  the  cell,  and  threw  himself 


ic  lifter  iiiJ, 


the  otlllTH, 
III!  Ill  IT.        I 

ri)ili;,'iis  (if 
fc  tluin  to 
L'lirii  never 

[iluHL'ed  ill 
I'dl  ill  1 1  in 
1(1     ill     lliu 

iistilied  by 
liiirsliiuiia 
I,  Clu'lsliiin 
»e(  lit,  liltlo 
pleiisiii;:f  to 
LMTy  on  liiu 
ross,  wliicli 
Huvo's  wil'o 
illigiito  was 
wiiom  wati 
!  erosH  ;  lio 
tlirow  liini- 
3  liiid  polio 
iwcct  Hcent 
1.  Amand 
innded  and 
on  !Mount 
liproaclung 
d  hauglily 
ing  sorrow, 
row  himself 


Tlw  Ol,l  Cliist. 


35 


iil.ilic  f.rt  ofoiirl.lesMd  fiiihcr,  f-ayin;.'.  in  a  lndL.  n 
Mtice,  ••  I  iiave  sinned,  i  |,;ae  otretided  the  f.'reat 
(•oil    .  r    heaven,    liy    o|)|)ivs-iii<,'    tlie     weak    and 

ilieddiii','  iiiiioeeiil,  1.1 1!     ||,.|y  iioiililT,  pivo  ino 

uiso  eoiiiKsel  us  to  tlio  salvation  .1"  my  ,m,iiI  !  I 
vi>li  to  iiitrlfy  and  eorreet,  niy  life.  I  |.i;,,'c  myselt* 
in  your  liand.v,  man  of  (iod,  Il.ive  jtiiy  „ii  "me  I 
Havo  nie  I  ' 

Onr  lioly  fallicr,  overulu  lined  A\illi  ji.y,  could 
aiiHwer  only  l.y  hi.s  (car.s ;  lio  ela.sped  iJav'o  in  hi.) 
anii.s  and  \ve[)t,  on  hii  wwk,  liko  tlio  fatJier  of  I  lio 
l)rodl;,Ml  son,  tho  aacro.!  i  niw  of  the  Fallitr  (,f 
^lerey.  He  Mpoko  to  jiim  (!ie  words  of  ,'^alvation 
and  of  life,  which  the  i)a,','aii  ivceived  resiieelfiillv  ; 
iind  IV.iin  tliat,  d  ly  (he  man  of  iiiiiiiiilv  died  oiil. 
aliil  ,!;a\(!  plaeo  (o  tho  new  man,  who  draws  from 
JesiH  Chrisl-  tho  sap  of  life.  The  lion  of  l.attleH 
lieiMiii,'  ji  mild  and  •gentle  lamh  ;  works  of  pcnaiieo 
and  of  charily  (lllcd  np  his  days;  he  wepi,  for  his 
ownsuis;  ho  dried  tho  tears  of  his  hrelhren,  and 
soon,  as  (ho  diviiio  praee,  when  it  overcomes  ii 
heart,  always  tends  to  a  moro  iierfeefc  state,  Bavo 
soHeited  t!io  dorical  tonsiiro,  and  suhmitted  to 
regular  discipline,  iiikUm-  tho  Ahhot  Florhert,  and 
no  one  cmld  liave  reeo,C;iiized  in  tho  anstero 
penitent,  the  liery  Coiinl.  d'llashanie.  His  avoii- 
derful  penaneo  astonished  and  converted  even 
those  whom  tho  words  of  Amaiul  could  not  win. 
How  cm  ;i  religion  he  doubted  Avhich  tints  tnuis- 
forms  lioarts?  The  rapacious  and  bloodthirsty 
profligate,  whom  all  that  barbarous  jieoplo  knew 
and  feared,  liad  bccnnio  an  hnniblo  recluse,  shut 
lip  in  a  voluntary  jiris'Hi  ;  he  slejtt  on  tho  stones; 
his  food  was  coarse  liread  ;   his  body  was  covered 


36 


The  Old  Chest. 


i:,   ! 


witli  hiiir-cloth ;  lie  \\'oro  fottcra  on  his  feet,  like 
those  wiUi  which  the  jailers  of  Rome  sliaclclcd  the 
feet  of  the  confessors  of  tlio  faitli.  For  three  }-ears 
Biivo  persevered  in  this  solitude  and  this  expiation; 
at  the  end  of  that  time  the  angels  called  him  to 
come  and  receiw^  the  victor's  crown.  ...  lie 
died,  and  barl^arous  tribes,  whom  his  arms  could 
never  subdue,  came  to  receive,  at  his  glorious 
sepulchre,  the  eternal  light  of  faith.  .  .  .  His 
memory  is  still  dear  to  me  ;  .  .  .  I  prayed  for 
him  on  earth,  and  I  am  eonfldout  that  he  is  pray- 
ing for  mo  in  heaven.     .     .     . 

Now  1  am  old.  .  .  .  My  hand  can  no  longer 
guide  t'.io  plough  ;  my  dimmed  eyes  no  longer 
permit  mo  to  do  the  writer's  work  ;  my  broken 
voice  can  no  longer  teach  the  evangelical  truths  to 
the  people ;  but  young,  active  brethren,  burning  with 
a  Ixjly  zeal,  take  the  place  of  those  who  first  under- 
took the  work.  .  .  .  AVe  berpieath  to  them  the 
task  Avhich  avo  have  commenced.  ....  They 
will  clear  these  forests  and  these  moors.*  Tliey 
will  preserve  the  deposit  of  science  and  of  noblo 
traditions,  ami,  above  all,  they  will  spread  the 
apostolic  (ire  over  the  earth.  .  .  .  Iluniblo 
servants  of  God,faitlif  ,il  messengers  of  Providence, 
they  Avill  labor  for  the  good  of  their  brethren, 
without  other  hire  than  the  eti'rnal  goods.  May 
Gad  bo  Avith  them,  and  may  he  deign  to  grant  to 
mo,  Scrgius,  a  sinner,  rest  Avith  the  many  holy 
souls  who  have  already  been  admitted  to  the  mar- 
riage-feast of  the  Lamb !    Amen. 


*  TGi)  Boiiodiotiuo  mouks  w  jro  tlio  cluarors  of  Eui-opo.   (J  ui- 
zot.) 


s  feet,  like 

uicklcd  tlio 

three  }'cai'3 

i  cxpiiitiou; 

lletl  him  to 

.     .     IIo 

iirina  could 

is  glorious 

.     .     His 

prayed  I'or 

he  is  pray- 

11  no  longer 
no  longer 
my  broken 
il  truths  to 
liming  with 
first  undcr- 
to  them  tlic 
.  .  They 
.rs.*'  Tliuy 
id  of  noblo 
i?pre;ul  the 
.  Ilumblo 
Providence, 
r  brethren, 
oodri.  May 
to  gnuit  to 
many  holy 


'i'C<.^^m^ 


^^■f^y^<:.^ 


1)  the  mar- 

Suropo.   (jui- 

- 

■- 

1 

IV. 


THE  SOLDIEE — EIGHTH   CEXTURY. 

I,  Gherold,  grandson  of  Landoald,  conforming 
to  the  custom  of  my  fathers,  dictate  to  my  nephew, 
Matfrid,  religious  in  the  Aljliey  of  tlio  Holy  Se- 
pulchre (Saiut-Sopulclire),  a  short  account  of  what 
I  have  soon  in  my  campaigns,  under  Charles  !Martel, 
Dul<o  of  fhu  Pranks,  and  under  Charlemagne, 
King  of  the  Fnaiks  and  most  pious  Emperor  of  the 
West. 

Although  living  in  the  most  remote  extremity  of 
Gaul,  we  have  learned,  nevertheless,  tliat  strenglli 
and  power  arc  no  longer  in  tlio  hands  of  tho  race  of 
Clovis,  tlio  Avarlikc  king  of  our  fatliers.  Tho 
mayors  of  tho  palace  of  Anstrasia,  tho  Pepins,  havo 
bccomo  tho  cliicfs  and  leaders  of  tlic  people.  I 
havo  fought  under  their  command,  and  I  think 
that  God,  who  desires  tho  glory  and  salvation  of 
the  Franks,  has  opposed  to  these  terrible  enemies 
— tho  Frieslandcrs,  tho  Saracens,  tho  Saxons,  and 
the  inhabitants  of  Gascony — cliiefs  capable  of  lead- 
ing to  battle  the  most  valiant  people  that  exist 
under  heaven. 

Duke  Charles,  tho  son  (jf  Pepin  and  Ali)luiido,  his 
Becond    wife,    i)osscssed    the    principality   of    tho 

Gauls,    and,  without   being  ji  kiuir,  all  the  regal 

;;7' 


w. 


3!^ 


'/'/.',•  (  I/,/  (  V/r.sf. 


})a\vor  was  coiieciilnitc'il  in  iiis  liiin;]...  Jlo  ^^ovonioil 
tlio  po<)j)!o  at  lionio  iiiul  protcctcMl  tlu'iu  aljroail. 
Wedwclt  111  peace,  (•;i!tiva!iii,:^  our  little  farm.  I  was 
tlio'.i  yoaii,?,  wli'ii  .sLraniji'  lu'ws  s[)roa(I  tlirouijfl.  (!io 
coualrifs  of  (lie  I'aiisis,  of  llie  S.ii.-.suiinais,  and  tlio 
Canibresi.-J.  It  was  sai(rtliat  hordes  of  barbarians, 
coniin^;^  from  tlio  descris  of  Africa  and  Asia, 
crossing  tlie  mountains  of  (lie  Gascons,  and  (hroiigli 
plains  and  giir'jfes,  liad  conu-  to  invade  the  lands  of 
tlio  Franks.  It  was  also  said  that  tlio  King  of 
Aqnitaino,  old  I'^ude,  defeated  by  these  pagans,  h:.d 
como  to  Dnko  C'hi'.rles  Ij'^giii^  him  to  savo  t.io 
whole  country  of  the  Franks,  threatened  by  the 
disciples  of  Mohammed.  The  pagans,  it  was  .-aid, 
were  going  to  cross  the  Loire,  and  tlioir  arms  and 
their  brutal  avarieo  would  not  spare  the  sanctuary 
of  the  blessed  Saint  Martin.  .  .  .  TIicso  news 
were  conllrmcd.  Soon  trumpets  and  clarions  were 
heard  sounding  in  tlie  cities  of  Xoustria  and  Aus- 
trasia,  in  tlie  forests  and  the  lields,  iind  troops  of 
Avarriors  hastened  towards  tiie  Loire.  I  was'callcd 
upon,  like  other  men  of  my  age,  to  render  military 
service.  It  was  in  the  month  of  October,  of  the 
year  733,  not  far  from  the  city  of  Poictiers,  that 
the  armies  met  ;  and  for  seven  days  Ave  Avaitcd, 
without  bending  the  bow  or  draAving  the  sword. 
"We,  the  soldiers  of  Duke  Charles,  saw  jiassing  b^'- 
fore  our  lines  the  :Mussulman  chiefs,  mounted  on 
light  steeds,  covered  with  long,  white  cloaks, 
armed  with  short  swords  or  barbed  arrows,  A^hicli 
they  threw  ami  caught  again  while  their  horses  were 
galloping.  Tiiesc  barbarians,  with  their  black  eyes 
and  tawny  skins,  looked  at  us  in  surprise,  and 
pointed  out  to  each  other  our  long-haired  chiefs 


OgOVCi-IlOiI 

111  iiljroatl. 
nil.  I  \v;i3 
irou;j:I.  the 
is,  aiuUlio 
)arl)!U'iiuis, 
uul  Asia, 
1(1  ihrou^^li 
10  lands  of 
)  King  oi 
;igaiip,  lii.d 
J  save  t.io 
ed  lij-  t!ic 
t  wa:?  .'■aid, 
arjiia  and 
fiaiu'tiiary 
Iicsc  news 
[•ions  were 
and  Au3- 
t roups  of 
was'callod 
)i'  military 
cr,  of  the 
tiers,  that 
va  Avaitcd, 
ho  sword, 
assiiig  1)0- 
ountod  on 
0  cloaks, 
iws,  A^hioh 
orscs  wore 
black  eyes 
prise,  and 
rod  chiefs 


y/v  ih'JC/ir.sf.  jfj 

Willi  their  irli.tering  trills.    On  the  seventh  day  (ho 
battle  hcgaii.     The  Miiysiilmans  sent  a  slnna-r  of 
arrows  on  our  army,  but  the  long  lino  of  the  Trank.s 
never   wavered   under  tiial    fearful  shook  ;  like  a 
wall  of  iron,  like  a  rampart  of  iee,  the  ji^'oplo  of 
the  Xorth  remained  pressed  one  against  the  other 
iis  though  they  were  of  marble.  ^  We  all  had  but 
one  heart,  as  Ave  all  had  o!io  faith.      Twenlv  times 
did  the  pagans  charge  upon  us,  as  rapid'as   the 
thunderbolt,    as   impetuous    as   the  angry  oecaii  ; 
twenty  times  ('id  they  advance  to  break  against  thj 
wall  of  \V'<]\  and  of  steel  which  we  opposed  to  them. 
At  sunset  the  Avail  was  shaken.     Duke  Charles  led 
us  on  to  the  combat,  and  our  swords  were  plun-ed 
to  the  hilt  in  jiagan  blood.     Night  alone  put^m 
end  to  the  '  ntle.      Duke  Charles  gave  the  signal 
to  retreat,  ..  id,  brandishing  our  swords  in  dolia'nco, 
Ave  pas-..dlh>  night  on  the  plain.      Xext  dav  the 
Aral)  tents    Avere  empty;   the    jiagans  hail"  iK.,|, 
leaving  behind  their  treasures,  which  fell  into  our 
hands.      We     took     again    our    homeward    way. 
Charles,  having  collected  the  spoils  of  the  encm-,-, 
returned  to  France  in  the  glory  of  his  triumph. 

As  for  mo,  I  tried  to  do  my  duty,  incited,  above 
all,  by  the  great  thought  that  I  Avas  fighting  in  the 
name  of  Christ,  in  the  name  of  the  Roman  Church, 
and  to  defend  the  Empire  of  the  Cross  against  the 
imjilous  votaries  of  Mohammed.  In  the  name  of  the 
Lord  Ifouglit  with  the  sword  and  tho//v/«/(v,*  and 
I  venture  to  hope  that  at  the  great  day  tiie  Just 
Judge  Avill  not  forget  his  soldier  and  servant. 

I  was  in  other  wars  wiih  Duke  Charles  and  his 

♦  A  weapon  of  the  ancient  Franks. 


40  The  Old  Chest. 

sons,  PG]iin  and  Karloman.    I  fought  against  the 
inilomitiil)lo  Frir -hinders,  cnlreuchod  in  tlieir  islt.s 
and  marshes;  against  the  Saxons,  obstinate  wor- 
sliippers  of   tht-   Teutonic   gods;  I  had   tlie  hap- 
piness of  receiving  the  hcnodiction  of  the  most  holy 
rontifl,  Bunifacc,  sent  to  evangelize  these  people, 
by  the  order  and  under  the  protection  of   Popo 
Zachcry  and  Puke   Charles  ;  I  saw   Lord  Pepin 
elevated  to  the  regal  dignity,   according    to  the 
words  of  the  Sovceign  Pontiff  Zachcry,  who  de- 
creed, "  He  who  ])osscssc3  the  regal  power  should 
also  enjoy  iho  honors  of  royalty "  ;  and  one  day, 
going  to  the  monastery  of  St.  Sithin,*  I  saw  there 
Childeric,  the  descendant  of  Merovreus,  who,  de- 
posed  and  shaven,  had  been  placed   among  the 
monks.      Tliese  are  events  which  I  have  witnessed, 
anil    in  which  I  have  taken  part,    fighting  under 
the  command  of  the  princes  who  now  possess  the 
sovereignty  of  the  country  of  the  Franks. 

Although  old  I  followed  the  army  of  the  most 
mighty  King  Charles,  who  was  marching. against 
thc^Lombard's  and  their  king  Desiderius.  And  this 
is  what  I  heard  related  by  a  worthy  priest. 

One  of  the  first  lords  of  the  Frank  kingdom, 
named  Ogger,  having  incurred  the  wrath  of  the 
terrible  Charles,  had  taken  refuge  with  King  Desi- 
derius. Hiving  heard  of  the  approach  of  the 
dreaded  Charles,  Desiderius  and  Oggcr  went  up  on 
a  very  high  tower,  whence  they  could  see  from  all 
sides  the°irrival  of  the  Frankish  army.  They  at 
first  perceived  a  warlike  equipage  more  numerous 
than  those  of  Darius  and  of  Julius  Ciesar.  And 
Desiderius  asked  of  Ogger  : 

•  At  !jt.  Omer. 


ig.iinst  the 

their  i^<k.-i 

linate  wov- 

l   the  liiii)- 

0  most  holy 
CSC  people, 
)U  of  Popo 
liord  Pepin 
1112  to  tho 
y,  who  (Ic- 
wcr  should 
(1  one  day, 

1  saw  Ihcro 
IS,  who,  de- 
among  the 
c  witnessed, 
iting  under 

possess  tho 
ks. 

>f  tho  most 
liini!;.  against 
s.  And  this 
est. 

ik  kingdom, 
vrath  of  the 
I  King  Dcsi- 
)ach  of  tlio 
•  went  up  on 

sec  from  all 
y.  They  at 
re  numerous 
Dtesar.    And 


The  Old  Chest. 


41 


'•Ts  not  Cliarlcs  \vii!i  that  givat  arinv?'' 

And  Ogi^^er  ansutivd  :  "Not  yet."' 

^I'ext  came  mimbor.s  of  trjho.s  a.«.«eniMcd  from 
all  parts  of  tho  vast  omplro  of  (lie  Franks.  Desi- 
deriu.s  after  liavingi^ccii  tiioni,  Paid  to  Qfrijer  : 

"S'lroly  Charles  is  triumpiiantly  a'dvancin'r 
camoiij.  \  that  multitude  ?  "  '"^ 

"\o,  not  yet,  not  yet,"  replied  Oggor. 

Then  Dosiderlus  began  to  bo  disturbed,  and  said  : 
_"  What  sliall  Ave  da  if  Iio  couu's  acc()m])anied  l)y 
still  more  warriors  than  ilicse  ?" 

"Thou  shalt.  see  liow  ho  will  come,"  answered 
Oggcr ;  "  but  I  know  not  wliat  will  become  of  us." 

Whilst  tlicy  thus  discoursL'd,  tlie  King's  iiouse- 
liold  appeared,  with  his  body-guards,  wlio    never 
,  know  rest.     At  tliis  siglit,  Dcsidcrius,  bewilderc  1, 
cried : 

"  Surely  tin's  is  Charles  ?  " 

And  Ogger  repeated  :  ''  Not  yet,  not  yet." 

Next  eame  tlio  l)ishops,  i)riests,  and  ecclesiastics 
of  the  royal  cliapcl,  witli  their  retinue.  Desiderius, 
desiring  deatJi,  and  no  longer  able  (o  bear  thcligiit 
of  day,  murmured,  sol)bing  ; 

"■  Lot  us  descend  and  hide  ourselves  in  tlie  deptiis 
of  tlie  earth,  tliat  we  may  not  sec  the  face  of  so  ter- 
rible an  enemy." 

The  treml)li)ig  Ogger,  who  know  the  splendor  and 
ai)parel  of  tlic  incomparable  Charles,  having  learned 
it  by  experience  in  better  days,  said  tlien  : 

"  Wlieu  tliou  soest  t'no  grain  bristle  with  fright 
in  tho  fields,  the  Po  and  the  Tosino  become  as  dark 
as  iron  and  overflow  with  their  blackened  waters 
the  walls  of  the  town,  then  IImu  mave.^.t  believe  in 
the  arrival  of  Charles." 


.}.? 


Tin   Old  Clii^t. 


Jlc  iuiil  JiiiL  yi't,  IniisluHl  spoakinr;  wlioii  tlicy 
l)egiiu  to  SCO  in  thn  Avest  like  a  dark  cloud  driver, 
by  tlio  wind,  Avliichcliiiiipjcd  the  liglit  of  day  into 
funereal  shadi's;  then  Charles  npproachin';'  gra- 
dually, llio  liriglitnes.-!  of  liis  arjiisi  brouglit  to  tlio 
men  .shut  iij*  in  flio  town  a  day  niovo  gloomy  than 
any  night. 

Then  in  porson  came  Charles,  that  man  of 
iron,  his  hcail  covered  by  an  iron  helmet,  his  arms 
enclosed  in  iron  mail,  his  chest  and  shoulders  of 
granite  were  protected  ])y  ii  coat  of  iron,  he  held  in 
liis  left  hand  an  iron  spear,  and  his  right  was  ahvays 
laid  on  the  hilt  of  his  inviucibla  sword  ;  his  boots, 
like  those  of  his  soldiers,  were  bound  witli  iron,  and 
his  rdiield  was  all  of  iron.  All  wlio  preceded  him, 
all  y.iio  marched  beside  him,  all  who  followed,  the 
Avholc  army,  had  imitated  (licii  master  as  far  as  Avas 
in  each  or.e's  pov.er  ;  the  fields  atul  the  plains  Avero 
all  of  iron;  the  iron  bayonets  reflected  every  ray  of 
the  sun.  The  ramparts  shook  with  fright,  the 
boldnes.i  of  the  young  man  Avas  subdued,  the  Avis- 
dom  of  the  old  men  put  to  naught,  and  all  the  citi- 
zens cried  Avith  confused  noise  : 

"Alas  !  how  much  iron  !  hoAV  much  iron  !"' 

Ogger  saw  all  this  Avith  one  rapid  glance,  and 
said  ta  Desiderius  : 

'•\3cliold  him  Avhom  thou  hast  l)een  seeking!"' 
And  so  saying,  ho  fell  down  almost  lifeless,    .    .    . 

Such  Avas  the  master  Avho  commanded  us — the 
chief  whom  avc  folloAved.  May  God  grant  long  life 
to  our  most  mighty  emperor !  For  him  I  have 
shed  my  blood ;  for  him  my  son  died  at  Ronces- 
vaux,  crushed  by  tho  rocks  Avhich  the  treachc  ous 
Gascons  hurled  on  tho  armA',  led  by  Roland,  tlio 


whoii  tlicy 
loud  diivf!'. 
)f  day  into 
ic1uii;j:  gra- 
uglit  to  tlio 
;loomy  thuii 

at  man  of 
t,  his  nrma 
lioulder.^  of 
,  lie  licld  in 
,  v.'MS  ill  ways 
;  his  boots, 
th  iron,  and 
K'cded  him, 
Iloucd,  tho 
s  far  us  Avas 
plains  ■\vcro 
■very  ray  of 
fright,  the 
)d,  the  Avis- 
all  the  citi- 

ron  ! "' 
glance,  and 

seeking  !"' 

ess.  .  .  . 
lhI  us — the 
nt  long  life 
ini  I  have 
at  Roncos- 
ircacht  ons 
uoland,  tlio 


^ 

H 


The  Ohi  C/usf. 


43 


raptain  ;  hut  I  do  not  regret  either  my  blood  nor 
even  t!ie  life  of  my  heloved  s-on,  since  lioth  lia\e 
been  given  for  the  Church  and  the  blessed  kingdom 
of  the  Franks. 


V, 


THE    LAliOUKn — NIXTIl    CKNTrUY 

"My  granilfiillier,  of  liappy  memory,  of  ton  re- 
peated an  cx])res.sioii  •wliicli  lie  heard  from  I  lie  lips 
of  the  miglily  Emperor  Charlemagne,  in  whose 
army  he  had  served.  'J'hat  prince,  being  one  day 
in  a  seai)ort  town,  saw  from  afar  ship.s  remarkable 
for  tlieir  structure  and  the  ease  of  their  movements. 
At  this  sight  the  pious  Charles,  leaning  on  a 
window-sill,  remained  long  lost  in  thoiiglit,  his  face 
bedewed  with  tears.  As  none  of  his  courtiers 
dared  to  question  him,  ho  himself  explained  to 
them  the  cause  of  his  tears.  "Know  ye,"'  said 
he,  "  0  my  faithful  friends  !  why  I  have  wejit  so 
much  ?  I  fear  not  that  those  people  can  harm  mo 
by  their  vain  threats  ;  but  it  afllicts  mc  much  tliat, 
while  I  am  living,  they  dare  to  insult  this  shore, 
and  I  am  oppressed  Avith  sorrow  because  I  foresee 
how  many  evils  tliey  will  cause  to  my  descendants 
and  my  subjects." 

Tlie  words  of  that  most  wise  emperor  arc  ac- 
complished. 0  fatal  days !  The  ships  whicli  ho 
saw  were  those  of  tlio  pagan  Nortlimen — those 
pirates  who  come  every  year,  on  their  vessels  as 
light  as  birds,  from  the  far  iS'orth,  and  follow 
the  course  of  our  rivers,   burnin?,  ]iillaging,  and 

44 


'/'//«■  (>!,!  (  /.v.v/. 


•J? 


,  (jfU'ii  rc- 
im  I  lie  lips 
in  whose 
ng  one  day 
remarkable 
tiovcmeuts. 
iiiii.;^  on  11 
lit,  liirffacc 
d  courtiers 
plained  to 
r  ye,"'  said 
vo  wept  so 
1  harm  mo 
much  that, 
this  shore, 
0  I  foresee 
loscendants 

ror  arc  ac- 
i  which  ho 
lien — those 
f  vessels  us 
and  follow 
lairiiifT,  and 


dcvaslaliii;,' all  l»cf«irc  llieiii.      I   Wi.s  \<>m];s,   and    I 
had  been  a-nt  with  a  niessau'c  from  my  father  in  a 
farm  situated  not  far  rrom  llaspres,  iii  CaiMJiresis, 
when  Isaw  In  the  dislance  a  prodi^iinns  crowd  of 
Jieojile,  and  I  heard    the  solemn  chanting  of  tho 
Psalms.     I  approached,  and  I  saw  monks,  wearing 
tho  liahit  of  Saint   Benodi'  *,    walking    barefoot, 
CHirrying  on  their  shoul'        .,  shrine  covm>d  with 
jdates  of  g(dd.     I  was  tri.i  that  these  religious  were 
coming  from    ;lio    interior  of  Xcustria,  from  tho 
Alibey  of  Jiimi.'ges,  whence  they  liad  tied  before 
the  Norman  pirates,  and  that  they  were  coming  lo 
hide  in  their  domain  of  Haspres  the  rrlics  of  tJieir 
blessed  founders,  Saint  Ilngli  and  Saint  Achard,  Jt 
was  jiitiablo  to  see  Christian  priests  Hying  iKfore 
,  the  pagans.     In  all   oiir  churches  tho  invocation 
was  added  to  (he  Litany  of  tho  Saints,  "From  tho 
fury  of  the  Korthmen,  0  Lord,  deliver  us!"'      Wo 
were  living  peacefully  on  our  little  farm,  my  wife, 
my  children,  and  I,  Hugo,  grandson  of  Ci'u'rold. 
The  country  was  at  peace,  and  wo  gathered  w  .tliout 
fear   llio   fruits  of  our  lalior,  when  the   tales  of 
travellers  and  pilgrims  informed  us  of  the  desola- 
tion  in   all    the   towns  situated  on  the  banks  of 
rivers.     Tho  large  and  noble  city  of  Anvcrs,  f-cated 
on  the  banks  of  (lie  Escaut,  had  just  been  burned 
by  the  fierce  sea-kings;   tho  banks  of  the  Soinme 
were  devastated  ;  iirovinces  and  (owns  dcpojmlated  ; 
the   few   inhabitants    who   survived    lied    in  every 
direction,   powerless   and   terror-stricken,    or    fell 
beneath  tho  sword.      The  bodies  of  (ho  saints,  so 
long  preserved  in  the  monasteries  wliieh  they  had 
f.mnded  aiidedilied  by  their  examples,  werc'])rough(, 
into    tho    cnclosnre    of    tho   r'lies.     Dan'/cr  was 


46 


'/'//(•  ( V^/  Cliisl. 


coining,'   to   us.      On  all  h,1,.m  utn-  mvii    lalioivivt 

wliosi' liDiisos  iiiul  liiir\r-!s  had   hccii   ;,'i\iii    to   tiic 

lliiiiK's,  cliiin,!!  ;ii'(i|)le  wlid.si-  eves  luid  \wv\\  put  out, 

widowoil  wives  and   orpliiiMcd  cliildrcii.     And  im 

rcniedy  for  tlioso  {:rcnt  evils!    Tlicse   l)jirl.;iii;iMs 

como  moro  numerous  tiiiiti  .stiow-llakes  in   winter; 

they  iire  lianly,  rapacious,  and  indel'ati^'alde.     Our 

lord,  Baldwin,  called  tlie  IJald,*  tried  to  fortify  liis 

towns    by    surrounding'    tlieni    with    ditelies   aiul 

walls  ;  hut,  alas  I  of  what  use  arc  uefcnees  of  stono 

if  men's  liearts  ])o  feehlo  and  eowardly  ?  f     Like 

others,  1  liavo  under;rone  the  misfortunes  of  the 

times  in  which  we  live;  may  it  please  (lod  to  cparo 

my  descendants  ! 

It  was  at  the  close  of  the  year  881  ;  the  Lord  had 
blessed  our  labor  ;  the  barns  and  cellars  were  over- 
llowini?  with  (lie  crops,  and  our  stalls  were  tilled 
with  cattle.  I  was.returnin;,'  from  the  Moiuisterv 
of  Elnon,  the  prior  of  wliicli — a  learned  man — had 
given  mo  some  cordials  for  one  of  my  servants,  who 
Avas  ill  of  a  mali,i,'nant  fever,  and  I  was  going  home- 
ward with  a  joyful  heart,  for  I  tliought  that  my 
wife  would  be  wailing  for  me  at  tlia  lirosidc,  plying 
her  distalf,  and  that  my  children  Avould  be  glad  at 
my  return. 

The  sun  was  setting  and  tlio  horizon  was  red. 
...  I  thought  it  was  the  mists  of  an  autumn 
day,  reddened  by  the  sun's  last  rays,  which  thus 
colored  tlic  heavens  ;  I;iit  soon  a  thick  black  snndvo 
and  sparks  went  np  into  the  air,  and  hid  the  sua 

*  Baldwin  tho  Baltl,  socoml  Count  of  Flandci-s. 

+  A.'cordin^;  t  >  tlii-  aocounl;  of  historians,  tlio  torrilioj 
pnoplo  n.)  loii^ir  dai-c-l  i,.  dufond  tlieniselves  n-aiiist  tl;o 
Noi-thincMi. 


I 


f 


• 


ilu-  iU,l  I  lust. 


-M 


II     hlliiH'cr:' 
CM     to     t!ll> 

II  |iiil  mil. 
Ami  iKi 
l)!irli;iri;iiis 
II  wiiiliT; 
iltli'.  Our 
I'lirtify  Iiis 
Li'Iics  iiiul 
s  of  stoiio 
?  t     Liko 

lOS    (if    tllO 
1   In  f-|):iro 

liOnl  liild 
voro  ovtT- 
lore  lilk'd 
ilduaslcrv 
nan — hud 
tL".ts,  wlio 
npf  lioine- 

tliat  niy 
k',  plyiii,:; 
a  glad  at 

was  rod. 

aiituiiin 
lioli  thus 
ck  sniidio 

the  sun 


o    tcrrilk'd 
vaiiist   tho 


from  my  view.  ...  I  ha.-litu'd  iii\  .-lt'|-  :  a 
lit Ih' liill  I'linciah'd  iii\  iiniisc  fniin  ni(> :  I  (■liiiilicd 
it  and  wcnl  (h)Uii  llio  other  side  (|uiik(r  lh;:ii 
lh(iii'_dil  :  .  .  .  ami  !  f-aw,  ...  0  hols' 
(iod  I  1  ^a\v  my  Iiou-c  in  llanus,  liciii,;,'  rt'iluci'd  to 
a  fiiiM'i'al  |iik',  IVom  which  cainc  forth  lire  and 
Kinokc  ;  th'.'  stalik'S,  ctdlars,  harn.",  wore  huriu'il. 
Not  a  cry  imr  a  voi(v  vwww  from 
anionu'.-t  tlio  ruins;  I  duricd  forward,  1  caHcd. 
No  oiH' a'  ■"Wci'cd  inc.  .  .  .  <  *  iiiih:i|ipy  man  tiiat 
[was!  ...  I  ran  all  over  Ihc  faun  :  .  .  . 
ruin  and  deatli  oseiywherc  I  .  .  .  l>nt,comiii;r 
to  a  Held  which  wu.s  watered  liy  ihc  Kseaid,  I  saw 
at,  a  distance  the  li,i,dil.  narrow  \(.-se!,  w  hicii  had 
ljr(n;;iht  tile  Norllimen  to  oiirsliore.  .  .  .  They 
were  llyiii.:,  tiie  papins,  llie  tliievis,  the  murderers. 
I  was  followin:^'  lliein  wiih  in v  eyes  and  my  im[io- 
teiit  curses,  v.lien  a  IVeliic  /jfroaii  reaehi'd  my  ear. 
I  looiied  ;  and  ill  tiic  /xi'uss  (Ui  the  hank 
1  found  my  youn^e.-t  ehil!i,niy  little  Baldwin,  who 
had  heou  thrown  there  naked,  and  with  a  large 
Avound  on  his  hip.  1  look  him  in  my  arm-;,  and  he 
knew  me : 

'•()  fatlier  I"  ,:aid  he  in  w  faint  voice,  "wicUi'd 
men  canve  ;  they  shut  nmtiier  and  my  hrothers  up  in 
the  stahlos,  and  hurned  them,  and  they  hurt  me 
very  much."     .     .     . 

(ireat  (rod  I  i)ar(lon  me  if  I  then  cursed  those 
who  had  hrougiit  so  many  misfortunes  on  mv 
hous'.' !  'J'hy  nu)st  sweet  .Son  Jesus  ])raycd  for  hi,-; 
■murderers,  and  I.  miscrahle  tiinncr,  could  oidy 
curse  them  !  But  I  ow  ask  thee  that  the  hlood 
ef  those  innocent  victims,  of  my  good  wife 
and     my     iirecious     flanghtrred     children,     jnay 


4« 


/■//.•  OU  Clust. 


iis(Tii,l    to    ihy   il,r,„„.  m„|    |„,y  ^,riicc,    for   thevio 
jm;,':iiis  1 

I  possi'sscd  ti(.(liiii;r  iK.w  Itiit  my  1:111(1,  ,<■■( ripped 
and  liaiv.  Fur  lulp  and  proliviidii  I  paid  trilmlo 
of  that,  which  I  had  ludd  frco  from  my  ancostor.-', 
to  till)  Alihoy  of  Saint  Aniaiid,  of  wiilcli'l  bocamo  u 
vassal.  .  .  .  Liberty,  family,  forlnne,  I  I0.4 
all  in  one  day.     From  tho  fury  of  the  :Nurlliman, 

0  Lord,  deliver  us! 

However,  reliiriou?!  nro  lenient  masters  ;  they 
brouf^iit  lip  my  son  Haldwin.and  inslrueted  him  in 
human  science;  and,  under  the  command  (d"  the 
brave  and  holy  Gozlin,""  Abbot  of  Saint  Amand, 

1  had   the    happiness   of   fii^'Iitin,;,'  the  Norllimcn. 
.     .     .     I  .siw  tiieni  van. pushed  by  the  Lord  Count 
of    llainaiit,    U.'gnier,   called    Long-Xeck,   and   I 
know  that,  on  every  side,  the  owners  of  the  hind 
lire  fortifying  the  towns  and  cities,  trainin^:,' their 
vassals  to  arms,  in  order  to  resist  the    incursions  of 
the  i)irate8.     Our  ])riests  and  itisliop.:  are  seokin;:r 
lo  subject  them   to   the  laws  of  the  Gospel;   the 
lime  is  perhaps  not  far  distant  when  the.-e  woes  of 
our  ago  will  cease  ;  but  who  among   the    living 
can  forget  the  churches  profaned,  the  cities  and 
villages  burned    our  women,  our  children  dving  in 
torture,  and  even  our  liljcrty  sold,  because  the  sea- 
kings  consumed  our  j)atrimony,  and  trod  our  in- 
lieritanco  under  foot  ?     Thou    hast  willed    it,  O 
Lord  !     Rlcssed  be  thy  will. 


♦Onzlin,  Abbot  of  Saint  Araand,  and  afterwards  Bialiop  of 
Paris. 


?)J 


for   llit'.so 

1,  ."Iriiipcd 
liil  triliiilo 
iuui'stursi, 
[  bccatiio  H 
If,  I  l()>t, 
I'urlliniaii, 

crs  ;  tlipy 
('<1  him  ill 
lul  dl'  llic 
^  Ainaiul, 
lorlliiiR'ii. 
ivd  Coiiiit 
k,  and  I 
tllC  1:111(1 
liii;,'  tiii'ir 
irslons  of 
3  seckiii,!^ 
i[)v];   Uio 

0  woes  of 
10  liviiii:^ 
itios  and 
tl.viiig  in 
)  (he  8('a- 

1  onr  in- 
xl    it,  O 


I  Diahop  of 


VI. 


ynv.  rii.f.KiM — Ti;NTir  (  dvtiuy. 

I,  ii<)lii:i;T,  unworthy  |iiiiir  ul'  \Uo  Altbcyof  Saint 
Aniaud,  at  tlio  riMjiu'tit  of  Baldwin,  fornicriy 
hroiiniit  up  in  this  nionaHtery,  linvo  written  tho  ac- 
count of  his  life  and  the  conff^fision  of  lii.s  faults. 
He  (lioiight  that  (his  account  niipht  Fcrvc  to  in- 
struct covetous  and  ambitious  men,  who  ipaui[ter 
(lie  passion ^  of  princcsnnd  the^'rea(,  (o  the  duinna- 
tioM  of  tlieir  own  soul.-'. 

Baldwin,  the  son  of  nii(>  of  our  vas.-sals,  having 
early  {^iven  e\ideiu'c  of  a  (piick  mind  and  a  rare  in- 
(elli/^^enco,  was,  through  the  charity  of  the  Abbot 
(iozlin,  instructed  in  hunnin  sciiMice  ;  but,  what- 
ever care  was  (aken  to  inculcate  in  him  the  spirit, 
of  jiiety  andof  humility,  without  which  all  rriencc  is 
vain,  he  testified  from  his  youth  the  desire  of  rais- 
ing himself  above  his  condition,  and  a  great  ardor 
in  his  projects  of  ambition  and  of  wealth.  One  day, 
Count  Baldwin,  commonly  called  the  Bald,  having 
come  to  visit  our  monastery,  took  notice  of  young 
Baldwin,  who  had  had  occasion  to  make  himself 
agreeable  to  tho  i)rineo  1)y  some  slight  service  and 
by  his  lively  sallies.  Tho  Count  wished  to  attach 
him  to  his  household,  and  asked  him  of  us.  Wo 
coidd  not  refuse,  and  Baldwin  followed  his  lord  with 
n   hcnrt  full  of  inv  and   hope.     He  mm.s  emplovcd 

4». 


5'^ 


The  Old  C lust. 


Jimoiigst  the  grooms  of  tlio  hounds,  und  there  again 
lie  pleased  the  Marquis,  and  by  his  intelligence, 
Jiptitude,  iind  cxtniordiuary  zeal  he  graduiuly 
g-iined  his  whole  confidence. 

K  is  well  known  what  was  then  the  condition  of 
the  Frankish  kingdom.     'J'lie  loids,  who  were  so 
submissive  formerly  under  the  i)owcrful  liand  of 
Charlemagne,  felt  thcmsolvcs  strong  in  their  turn 
under  feeble   kings;    and   one  of    them— Eudes, 
Count    of    Paris— maintained    himself    for    some 
years  on   the   throne  of  Fr.mce,  notwithstanding 
the  claims  of  the  lawful  heir,  young  Charles,  son 
of  King  Charles  the  Bald.     The  prelates,  howcvei-, 
and  the  whole  priesthood,  remei   bering  their  oatii, 
given  of  old  to  the  father  of  the  most  pious  empe- 
ror, and  by  which  all  ;lio  chiefs  of  the   F.anks 
pledged  themselves  to  never  recognize  as  king  a 
man  who  was  not  of  the  race  of  Pepin  ;  and,  faith- 
ful to  that  vow  of  their  predecessors,  Foulqucs, 
Archbishop  of  Itheims,   and   his  suffragans,    the 
metropolitans  of  Treves,  Cologne,  and  Mavcnco, 
crowned  the  young  Charles  as  king.     The  power- 
ful Prince  of  Flanders  ranged  himself  under  the 
command   of  his   true  sovereign,  while  Herbert, 
Count  of  Vermandois,  one  of  the  most  powerful 
lords  in  the  kingdom,  openly  espoused  the  cause  of 
the   Count   de   Paris.      Thence  sprang  a   deadly 
hatred  between  Count  Baldwin' and  the  house  of 
Vevmandois  ;    and   in  the  wai-  which  took  place 
between  the  partisans  of  King  Charles  and  those 
of  King  Eudes,  the  brother  of  the  Prince  of  Flan- 
ders, Kaoul  dfe  Cambrai,  surnamed  on  account  of 
liis  bravery  Taille-fer  (Cut-iron),  perished  by  the 
hand  of  Herbert  of  Vermandois.     This  was  a  -^reat 


I    \i 


\ 


1  there  again 
intelligence, 
3    gradui'.ily 

!<  nidi  I  ion  of 
ilio  ■\vcrc  so 
'ul  hand  of 
1  tlu'ir  turn 
?m — Eudes, 
for    somo 
itbstanding 
iliarlcs,  son 
s,  howcvei', 
their  oatii, 
)ioiis  empe- 
;he   F.anks 
!  as  king  a 
and,  faith- 
Foulques, 
agans,    the 
Mavcnce, 
Lhe  power- 
under  the 
3  Herbert, 
t  powerful 
lie  cause  of 
a  deadly 
3  hotiso  of 
ook  place 
and  those 
■e  of  Flan- 
iccouat  of 
ed  by  the 
as  a  great 


! 


The  Old  C/icsL 


M 


affliction  for  Count  Baldwin,  who  lo'cd  this  bro- 
ther above  all  creatures  ;  and,  in  place  of  turning 
to  the  Lord,  who  would  have  comforted  him  in  hit 
allliction,  he  revolved  in  his  mind  projects  of  ven- 
geance, forgetting  him  who  has  said,  "Vengeance 
is  mine,  and  I  will  repay."  One  day,  while  hunting 
in  the  forest  of  Mormal,  it  chanced  that  he  found 
himself  alone  with  his  servant  Baldwin.  The 
Count  was  not,  as  usual,  inspired  by  his  favorite 
exercise  ;  with  spear  down,  he  rode  along,  lost  in 
his  own  dark  thoughts,  when  Baldwin,  who  was 
somewhat  familiar  with  him,  ventured  to  say  : 

"  3ry  good  lord,  thy  thoughts  are  not  here  ;  and 
yet  the  forest  is  line  and  the  game  abundant.'' 

"  I  am  following  another  scent,"  said  the  prince, 
looking  at  his  vassal  ;  "  but  to  reach  (hat  quarry  I 
would  need  a  faithful  arm  and  a  steady  hand." 

''  If  one  knew  the  game,  good  lord,  one  might 
pounce  upon  it." 

•'  Knowst  thou  the  mortal  enemy  of  my  house  ? 
What  bloody  wolf  rushed  upon  the  brave  Kaoul  ? 
Blood  calls  for  blood." 

"  It  shall  have  it.  But  what  would  the  hunts- 
man obtain  ? " 

"Gold,  and  the  friendship  of  his  lord." 
Two  days  after,  Herbert  de  Vermandois,  on  go- 
ing  forth  from  his  castle,  received  a  mortal  wound 
from  a  dagger,  and  some  time  after  Baldwin  gave 
up  his  post  of  groom  of  the  hounds,  to  become  his 
lord's  secretary. 

It  was  a  great  crime,  a  cruel  murder,  which  for 
long  after  frightened  the  lords  in  their  castles,  as 
well  as  their  subjects  in  their  huts  ;  but  soon  a 
greater  crime  terrified  all   Ciiristendom,     1  have 


.1 


I 


52 


The  Old  Chest. 


paid  before  that  the  Lord  Foulqncs.  Archbishop  of 
KhciniH,  was  the  friend,  the  father,  and  protector 
of  the  young  King  Charles.  The  latter  had  just 
granted  to  him  the  Abbey  of  St.  Sithin,  or  St.  Ber- 
tin,  which  tlic  prelate  dearly  loved,  for  it  was  there 
he  had  spent  his  youth.  But  Count  Baldwin,  by 
a  gcandalous  abuse,  which  li..s  become  too  common 
in  our  days,  desired  to  possess,  although  a  layman, 
this  house  of  God,  the  patrimony  of  which  be- 
longed to  the  poor ;  and  when  he  saw  his  hopes 
frustrated,  he  conceived  against  tl  venerable 
Foulques  a  hatred  which  could  only  end  in  blood  ; 
and  a  second  time  (0  unhappy  fate  of  princes !) 
Baldwin  was  near  him,  as  the  dagger  is  found 
ready  to  the  hand  which  is  about  to  use  it  for 
murder.  King  Charles  and  Archbishop  Foulques 
had  met  at  the  mi' nor  of  Compiegne  ;  the  old  man 
had  come  to  take  leave  of  his  young  king ;  he 
was  journeying  along  the  road  to  lUieims,  sur- 
rounded by  a  few  followers,  when  Baldwin,  fol- 
lowed by  some  hired  assassins,  fell  upon  him 
and  pierced  him  wiih  his  lance.  The  parricide 
was  accomplished.  That  wretch,  brought  up  with- 
in the  sacred  walls  of  the  Monastery  of  St.  Amand, 
did  not  fear  to  shed  the  blood  of  the  pontiff  of  the 
Lord. 

From  the  Rhine  to  the  Pyrenees  ilcw  like  wild- 
fire the  news  of  this  crime.  Baldwin,  under  the 
powerful  protection  of  the  Prince  of  Flanders, 
ran  no  temjioral  risk  ;  but  the  Church,  neverthe- 
less, had  still  her  thunders.  A  council,  assembled 
at  llheims,  pronounced  sentence  of  excommu- 
nication against  the  assassins  of  the  most  pious 
Foulques  :  '•  Let  them  be  cursed,"' cried  the  bishops  ; 


)ishop  of 
irotcctor 
had  just 
•  St.  Ber- 
I'iis  there 
hviu',  by 
common 
layman, 
liich  bc- 
lis  hopes 
cnerablc 
II  blood  ; 
princes !) 
is  found 
3C  it  for 
Foulques 
old  man 
ing ;  he 
ms,  snr- 
win,  fol- 
lon  him 
parricide 
up  with- 
Amand, 
iff  of  the 

ike  wild- 
uder  the 

Flanders, 
iievcrtlic- 
sseniblcd 
xcommu- 
ist  pious 
bishops ; 


The  Old  Chest. 


53 


"  cursed  in  the  city,  cursed  in  the  fields,  cursed  in 
their  offspring,  cursed  in  the  fruit  of  their  lands, 
and  their  herds  of  oxen,  and  their  flocks  of  sheep  ; 
let  them  bo  cursed  coming'  in  and  going  out ; 
cursed  within  the  house,  cursed  without.  May 
their  bowels  rot  ;  let  no  Christian  even  salute 
them  ;  let  thei-i  receive  the  burial  of  the  ass,  and 
lot  them  lie  on  the  dunghill  in  the  face  of  the 
whole  world.'"* 

Under  the  protection  of  the  prince  whom  he  had 
served  with  such  arduous  fidelity,  Baldwin  feorcd 
nothing,  and  he  lived  in  great  wealth.  Several 
years  elapsed  thui5,  during  Avhich  great  events  were 
accomplished.  The  Xormans,  under  their  chief 
KoUo,  made  an  alliance  with  the  Franks  ;  they  re- 
ceived as  their  domain  fair  Keustria,  with  its  fertile 
fields,  its  limpid  waters,  and,  converted  to  Chris- 
tianity, they  really  formed  a  part  of  the  Frankish 
nation,  dear  to  God  and  man  ;  young  King  Charles, 
too  feeble  to  resist  his  great  vassals,  was  seized  by 
the  i)crfidiou3  Herbert  do  Vermandois,  and  shut 
up  in  the  tower  of  Poronne,  thence  transported  to 
Orleans,  where  he  died  in  the  year  of  Christ  92!». 
Raljjh,  Duke  of  Burgundy,  was  seated  on  the  throne 
of  Clodowig  and  of  Charlemagne.  On  his  deatli, 
the  last  descendant  of  the  race  of  Pepin,  Louis 
IV.  d'Outremer,  ascended  to  the  place  of  his  an- 
cestors, but  only  for  a  few  days.  Those  were  troublous 
and  disastrous  times ;  hatred  and  murder  seemed 
as  nothing  to  the  men  of  that  age  ;  like  Lamech  of 
old  as  it  is  written  in  the  Book  of  Genesis,  they 
said,  hiughing,  "  I  have  just  killed  a  man  I  " 

*  Acts  of  the  Council  of  Rheims. 


34 


The  OU  Chest. 


H 


William  Loiig-Sword,  Duke  of  Normandy,  pevisli- 
cd,  through  sliumeful  treachery,  slain  l)y  the  order, 
and  perhaps  by  the  hand  of  Arnoul,  Count  of 
Flanders  and  son  of  Baldwin.  .  .  .  These 
fierce  lords  thought  only  of  blood  and  violence,  and 
their  fatal  passions  ji'-vays  found  docile  instru- 
ments uround  them.  Baldwin,  who  had  passed 
from  the  service  of  the  father  to  that  of  the  son, 
was,  he  confessed  to  me,  the  witness,  if  not  the 
accomplice,  of  this  murder.  But  there  the  grace 
of  God  awaited  him. 

The  sight  of  the  forsaken  corpse  of  this  prince, 
but  lately  so  brilliant  andso  chivalrous, recalled  to 
the  troubled  conscience  of  Baldwin  the  murders 
■which  the  waters  of  human  prosperity  could  never 
Avash  away  He  looked  at,  touched  those  wounds, 
and  he  remembered.  He  confessed  his  iniquity  be- 
fore the  Lord  his  God,  and  he  desired  to  do 
penance,  lie  immediately  left  the  Isle  of  Pec- 
quigny,  where  the  murder  of  that  powerful  lord 
had  been  accomplished,  and,  walking  day  and  night 
barefoot,  he  went  to  throw  himself  at  the  feet  of 
the  pious  Bishop  Ausbert,  then  occupying  the  See  of 
Cambrai.  There  hG  confessed  his  crimes,  and  asked, 
on  his  knees,  humbled  under  ashes  and  hair-cloth, 
to  be  released  from  the  Anathema  of  Holy  Church. 
The  pious  prelate  did  not  close  his  door  on  this 
sinner  whom  the  Shepherd  of  the  sheep  brought 
back  on  his  shoulders,  but  he  prescribed  to  him, 
as  his  canonical  penance,  a  fast  of  three  years  and 
a  t)ilgrimage  to  the  Holy  Sepulchre  of  our  Lord. 

Baldwin  obeyed,  but  before  setting  out  on  his 
long  journey  he  gave  to  the  poor  the  wealth  which 
he  had  acquired  by  bloodshed,  and  after  journeying 


i  I 


^ 


,  porisli- 

0  order, 
ount  of 

The30 
ucc,  and 
instru- 
passed 
the  son, 
not  the 
le  gruco 

i  prince, 
called  to 
murders 
Id  never 
wounds, 
luity  be- 

1  to  do 
of  Pec- 
■ful  lord 
!id  night 
3  feet  of 
he  See  of 
id  asked, 
lir-clotli, 
Cimrch. 

on  this 
brouglit 
to  him, 
ears  and 
Lord, 
it  on  his 
th  which 


The  Old  Chest. 


55 


day  and  night,  clad  in  a  poor  woollen  tunic  which 
concealed  a  hair-clotli,  fasting,  praying,  and  living 
on  alms,  lie  reached  (lie  sliorcs  of  Provence,  and 
there  embarked  for  Palestine.  IIo  visited  in  turn 
the  sacred  place.'^,  and  all  v  ere  witnesses  of  his  pen- 
ance and  his  tears.  How  could  the  sinner  refrain 
from  sobbing  and  beating  his  breast  at  sight  of  tlie 
Moun+.  of  Olives,  of  Gulgotli:),  of  the  sepulchnil 
cavo  where  the  fSaviour  slept  for  three  days,  follow- 
ing step  by  step  the  sorrowful  footprints  of  the  Son 
of  God  upon  earth  !  Ibit  to  the  just  tears  shed  on 
the  foot.-t.ps  (if  Jesus  Christ,  our  sweet  and  merci- 
ful Saviour,  the  numerous  pilgrims  who  visit  the 
Holy  Land  mingle  those  which  arc  forced  from 
thein  by  the  sorrowful  fate  of  Christian  people  who 
are  there,  praying  and  suffering  around  the  sacred 
tomb,  and  each  day  subjected  to  the  outrages  of  the 
inlkh'ls.  O  Lord  !  why  dost  thou  delay  in  aveng- 
ing thy  peojde,  and  delivering  from  the  oprvession 
of  unbelievers  these  memorable  places,  which  thou 
didst  choose  thyself,  to  consummate  there  the 
greatest  of  sacriiices  ? 

It  is  only  at  the  price  of  gold  that  pilgrims  aro 
admitted  into  the  sanctuaries,  and  often  their  blood 
waters  the  threshold. 

Baldwin  had  the  happiness  of  suffering  for  Jesus 
Christ  many  humiliations  and  outrages,  which, 
doubtless,  served  as  expiation  for  his  crimes  in  the 
eyes  of  the  just  Judge,  who  also  saw  the  deep  re- 
pentance of  his  soul ;  and,  after  three  years  passed 
in  prayer,  mortification,  and  persecution,  lie  re- 
turned to  Europe,  and  received  absolution  of  his 
crimes. 

He  asked  to  retire  amongst  us,  so  as  to  end  in 


s^ 


The  Old  C/ust. 


solitiulo     lii^     lifo,     coiitaiuinatoil      hs     tloiilings 
and    intorcourKO    with    the    world  ;    and,    as    u 
lay    brotlicr   in    tliis    holy   house,  he    long    edi- 
fied ns  by  the  severity  of    his   penance   and  by 
his  love  of    humiliation.     Often,   at  the  request 
of  the  Father  Abbot,  ho  would  tell  us  of  his  long 
journeys  ;  he  described  the  Holy  Places,  -which  arc 
to  all  of  us  as  our  own  country  ;  he  rcpresrnted  to 
US  those  vast  multitudes  of  pilgrims,  that  peaceful 
army,  Avhich  ask  no  other  favor  than  that  of  being 
allowed  to  weep  at  the  tomb  of  its  Saviour.;  he  also 
made  us  weep  relating  the  sufferings  and  insults 
which  faithful  Christians  undergo,  and  we  all  shud- 
dered, saying  :  "  Who  then  shall  deliver  them  ?  " 
But,  alas  !  what  does  it  matter  ?    The  trials  and 
pleasures  of  earth  shall  soon  end  ;  we  are  approach- 
ing the  end  of  human  things ;  when  this  century 
has  elapsed,  the  world  shall  have  rendered  its  ac- 
count tc  its  Judge,  and  the  fire  of  heaven,  coming 
down  on  the  earth,  shall  have  consumed  the  i)laco 
of  our  exile.     The  air,  the  land,  and  the  sea  are  full 
of  warning  ;  there  is  in  the  ocean  extraordinary 
movements ;  a  whale,  Avhich  is  no  other  than  the 
leviathan  of  the  Scriptures,  has  come  aground  on 
the  coast  of  Normandy  ;  the  elements  are  disturbed 
at  their  approaching  dissolution,  and  men's  souls 
are  turning  towards  the  God  who  is  soon  to  judge 
them.     Everywhere  people  are  becoming  detached 
from  perishable  goods  ;  they  are  given  to  the  poor, 
to  churches,   to  monasteries.     Once  more,   alas ! 
what  does  it  matter  ?    Soon  shall  the  poor  be  first 
ii^jthe  kingdom  of  God,  earthly  churches  shall  be 
changed  into  eternal  tabemacles,  and  the  inmates 
of  monasteiies  shall  be  judged  according  to  the 


77u'  I  Vd  (.  lust. 


57 


graces  'vhich  thoy  have  received  and  the  use  they 
have  made  of  them.  .  .  .  May  the  Mas^^er  lind 
us  with  loins  girt  and  with  lamps  lit  ! 

I  forgot  to  add  that  Haldwin  died  on  a.«i;e.«  seven 
years  after  his  entrance  to  the  Monastery  of  Elnon. 
When  dying,  he  made  a  j)ul)lic  confession  of  his 
crimes,  and  recommended  himself  to  the  prayers  of 
his  brethren.  If  any  one  comes  after  me  and  reads 
this,  let  him  i)ray  for  us,  poor  sinners  ! 

This  was  written  in  the  first  year  of  the  reign  of 
Ilngli  Capet,  Godha\ing  transferred  to  this  power- 
ful family  the  sceptre  Avhieh  had  remained  for  two 
hundred  and  thirty-five  years  in  the  hands  <if  the 
descendants  of  Charlemagne. 


■.li 


;i  \ 


CHAPTKR    VII. 
THE  ciirurn-nriLDER   axd   ihe  tuoubadour — 

ELEVENTH    CENTURY. 

We  were  four  brother.-!,  sons  of  TurolJ,  a  tenant 
of  the  Al)hey  of  Ehion,  and  descondunts  of  Bahlwin, 
formerly  secretary  to  the   Lord   Count  of    Flan- 
ders,   and    since   lay   brother   in   the   Monastery 
of    Saint    Amand,     where     he     ended     his    life 
in  penance.     The  monks  were  good  and  lenient 
lords   to  us,  liberal    and  benevolent,    and,    com- 
paring our  lot  with  those  of    the  vassals  of  the 
lay  lorda,  cjuld  only    tliank    lloaven.     Slill,   my 
young  brother,  Ilervo,  who  liad  been  taught  Kome 
learning  by  one  ol  tlie  monks,  became  dissatisfied 
and  disgusted  with  tlie   rudeness  of   our  vassals. 
lie  secretly  left  our  fatlier's   house  and  the  abl)ey 
lands,  and   Hod,  without   letting    any  one    know 
wl  ithor  ho  was  going  nor  the  plan  whicli  ho  had 
formed.     Some  thought   that  ho  had  gone  to  tho 
Holy  Land,  others  believed  that  he  had  retired  to 
some  desert  place  to  lead  the  life  of  a  hermit.     It 
seemed  to  me  that  a  certain  love  of  adventure  had 
alone  drawn  him  away,  and  I  cherished  the  hope  of 
one  day  seeing  him  again. 

Liko  mv  elder  brothers,  I  desired  nothing  else 
68 


^* 


7'//r  Old  Clii'st. 


59 


than  tho  i)eacefu!  life  which  I  had  seen  my  father 
and   mother  lead  ;  but  I  wished  to  share  this  life 
with  a  young  girl,  whose  father  was  a  vassal  of  tho 
Count  d'KsiK'.  a  patron  of  tlie  Abbey  of  Elnou.     I 
loved  her  and  she  loved  me,  and  our  hearts  were 
torn  when  her  lord  dispo.s^'d  of  jier  ir  marriage  to 
one  of  liis  people.     Alone  in  the  world,  my  father 
having  just  dieil,  wounded  to  the  depth  of  my  soul, 
I  presented  myself  to  the  Father  Master  of  Novices, 
that  I  might  bo  received  as  a  lay  brother,  but  ho 
wished  to  try  my  vocation,  and  put  mc  off  for.'^mo 
time.     I  was  returning  from  tlie  fields  one  evening, 
thinking  sadly  of  my  l)otrothed,  now  sitting  by  the 
hearth  of  another    husband,  when,   near  a  little 
chapel  dedicated  to  tiie  Blessed  Mother  of  God,  I 
saw  a  man  kneeling  in  prayer.     He  was  clad  in'  a  . 
poorcamelot  blouse,  and  carried  on  his  shoulder  a 
mason's  trowel  and  hod.     Ho  had  a  quiet,  good- 
natured  face,  l)ut  when  ho  raised  his  largo  gray  eyes 
it  seemed  as  if  his  thought  penetrated  into  your 
soul,  like  a  wedge  into  wood. 

'•  Good  rest  to  thee,  master,"  said  I  to  him. 
"God  give  it  to  thee,  my  brother,"  answered  ho 
kindly.     '•  Couldst  thou  tell  mc  the  name  of  tho 
country  in  which  I  now  nni  ?  " 

"  Thou  art  on  the  lands  of  tho  Abbey  of  Saint 
Amand.  Yonder  is  tho  sjiro  of  the  church  and 
the  blue  roof  of  tho  monastery  ;  around  it  the  town 
of  Saint  Amand,  where  a  free  fair  is  hold  to-dav. 
Is  it  there  thou  art  going,  master  P" 

"  Xo,  my  brother,  I  desire  neither  tho  pleasure 
nor  tho  business  of  tho  Avorld.  I  wish  to  And  a 
lodging  for  tho  night,  and  to-morrow  at  the  hour 
0.  prime  I  will  proceed  on  my  way." 


1'^ 

I 


\^ 


CHAPTKR    VII. 
THE  ciirRrn-nriLDER   axd  hie  tuoubadoith — 

ELEVENTH    CENTURY. 

We  were  four  brother.-!,  sons  of  Turold,  a  tenant 
of  the  Al)l)i'y  of  Ehion,  and  (loscondunts  of  Biihlwin, 
formerly  secretary  to  the   Lord   Count  «)f    Fhm- 
dern,    and    since   lay   brother   in   the   Monastery 
of    Saint    Amand,     where     ho     ended     his    life 
in  penance.     The  monks  were  good  and  lenient 
lords   to  us,  liberal    and  benevolent,    and,    com- 
paring our  lot  with  those  of    the  vassals  of  the 
lay  lords,  cjuld  only    tliank    lloavon.     Slill,   my 
young  brother,  Ilcrvi',  who  liad  been  taujrht  Kome 
learning  by  one  of  tlie  monks,  became  dissatisfied 
and  disgusted  with  the   rudeness  of  our  vassals. 
lie  secretly  left  our  fatlier's   house  and  the  abbey 
lands,  and   Hod,  without   letting    any  one    know 
wlithor  ho  wa-s  going  nor  the  plan  whicli  ho  had 
formed.     Some  thought   that  ho  had  gone  to  tho 
Holy  Land,  others  bolieved  that  he  had  retired  to 
some  desert  place  to  lead  the  life  of  a  hermit.     It 
seemed  to  me  that  a  certain  love  of  adventure  had 
alone  drawn  him  away,  and  I  cherished  the  hope  of 
one  day  seeing  him  again. 

Liko  mv  elder  brothers,  I  desired  nothing  else 
68 


k 
c 


tl 
o 
L 

n 
k 


I 


JR— 

nant 
win, 
Thn- 
stcry 
life 
lient 
com- 
f  the 
,  my 
Konu' 
isficil 
ssuls. 
lb  bey 
know 
3  had 
0  tlio 
•cd  to 
..     It 

0  hail 
)po  of 

1  elsio 


7'//r  Old  Chest . 


59 


than  the  i)eaccfiil  life  which  I  liad  seen  my  father 
and   molhor  lead  ;  but  I  wished  to  share  this  life 
with  a  yniinn:  girl,  wliosc  father  -.vna  a  vassal  of  the 
Count  d'Ksiic.  a  patron  of  tlio  Abbey  of  Elnon.     I 
loved  her  and  she  loved  me,  and  our  hearts  were 
torn  when  her  lord  disposi'd  of  her  ii  marriage  to 
one  of  his  people.     Alone  in  the  world,  my  father 
having  ju.st  died,  wounded  to  the  depth  of  my  soul, 
I  presented  myself  lo  the  Father  Master  of  Novices, 
that  I  might  bo  received  as  a  lay  brother,  but  ho 
wished  to  try  my  vocation,  and  put  mo  off  for.mio 
time.     I  was  returning  from  tlie  fields  one  evening, 
thinking  sadly  of  my  l)etrothed,  now  sitting  by  the 
hearth   of  anotlier    husband,  when,   near  a  little 
chapel  dedicated  to  tiie  Blessed  Mother  of  God,  I 
saw  u  man  kneeling  in  prayer.     Ho  was  clad  in'  a 
poorcamclot  blouse,  and  carried  on  his  shoulder  a 
mason's  trowel  and  hod,     lie  had   a  quiet,  good- 
natured  face,  l)ut  when  ho  raised  his  largo  gray  eyes 
it  seemed  as  if  his  thought  penetrated  into  your 
soul,  like  a  wedge  into  wood. 
"  Good  rest  to  thee,  master,*'  said  I  to  him. 
"God  give  it  to  thee,  my  brother,"  answered  ho 
kindly.     '•  Couldst  thou  tell  mc  the  name  of  tho 
country  in  which  I  now  nm  .?  " 

"  Thoii  art  on  tho  lands  of  tho  Al)bey  of  Saint 
Amand.  Yonder  is  tho  sjiro  of  tho  church  and 
the  blue  roof  of  tho  monastery  ;  around  it  tho  town 
of  Saint  Amand,  wlierc  a  free  fair  is  hold  to-day. 
Is  it  tliero  thou  art  going,  master  P" 

"  Xo,  my  brother,  I  desiro  neither  tho  pleasure 
nor  the  business  of  tho  world.  I  wisli  to  find  a 
lodging  for  tho  niglit,  and  to-morrow  at  tho  hour 
o:  prime  I  will  proceed  on  my  way." 


i«r- 


r,.) 


Thr  (V.i  Ck 


ixr. 


•'  Come  lo  tlic  iihlti'v,"  saiil  J.  '•  Straiipors  luci 
Avoli'onio  tlioro." 

'•  Tjjt  us  pi)  there,''  Huiil  he,  "  under  the  cjiro  of 
f{,.<I  iuid  of  Our  Lady." 

We  took  the  way  to  llio  monastery.  The  bell 
w:iH  slowly  ringinj^,  and  its  voice  came  to  us 
throu;:h  the  i)ure,  cool  evening  nir. 

•  Brother  Damiiso  is  in  his  agony,"  saitl  I.  '•  lie 
is  slill  very  young." 

'•'  The  life  of  man  is  as  a  few  days,"  answered 
ray  comp.iv.lon.  *•  Ilappy  is  ho  who  has  trio  one 
thing  neccssnry." 

Reaching  the  abl)ey,  he  stopped,  and  considered 
for  some  moments  its  majestic  structure,  its  thick 
walls,  picrood  with  small  grated  windows,  the  for- 
tified works  on  the  outside,  which  were  intended  to 
defend  the  house  of  God  from  the  incursions  of 
the  Northmen,  the  church  built  iu  wood  and 
brick,  the  arched  porcli  of  which  was  guarded  by 
two  marble  lions,  between  which  the  lord  abbot 
sat  when  disi)ensing  justice  to  his  vassals. 

"  It  is  a  fiiie  building,"  said  I. 

"  It  bears  tlic-  stamp  of  i)ast  ages — of  barbarous 
ages,"  answered  the  mason;  "to-day,  thanks  to 
tiie  zeal  of  our  pious  King  Robert  and  the  learned 
Pope  Sylvester,*  who  sits  in  the  chair  of  St.  Peter, 
finer  monuments  arc  being  raised,  witli  God's  good 
aid." 

Whilst  he  p  ^'die  thus,  the  door  of  the  abbey 
opened  ;  the  broJier  porter  introduced  us  iuto 
that  part  of  the  house  reserved  for  guests,  and  soon 


♦  Sylvoster  II.  (Gorbort).    This  learned  Pop©  gave  a  power- 
ful im])ulso  to  all  tbe  arts. 


iL 


TIti-  f  V,/(  lust. 


6i 


:cr8  aro 

ciiro  of 
he  bell 

to    in 

.    '-lie 

iswcroil 
fno  one 

.sidcrcil 
3  thick 
;ho  for- 
ndf  tl  to 
;i()ns  of 
0(1  and 
rdod  hy 
1  abl)o"t 

rbarous 
ankd  to 
learned 
.  Peter, 
I's  good 

i?  idibcy 
lis  into 
nd  soon 

)  a  power- 


H'    •uhor.|,nst,..am...  ,vi,i,prc.athumilitv,  townsh 
'';;^;:--nc.rs  foot,  whilst  lhoronan.Pp;o,nred„ 

\^  the  v,.,I  of  tho  holy  Aposdo.  Poter  .-.nd  Paul 
AVhenlhomasonplaood  himsolf  .(,  (he  tablo.  (ho 
Lost  romamod   (o  .orvo  him.  and   allowed  no   , 
«t«y  un.d  tho  ..lo.sing  of  (he  abbov  gates.     Thev 
.ogan  to  oonvorso.  and  n.y  eompanion  gave  manV 
|'ioof.-,(,f  loarningand  wisdom. 

'•Wl.Ithei-  art   (hon    going?"   at  l.ng.h  aske.l 
.o-i.MVl^- dost  thou  not  take  ad^^n.aio: 

t'H' three  day.  of  ro,st  (hat  onr  house  otters  t.M.il- 
gnm.iand  travellers  'i"  ' 

••My  rest   is   not   here,-'  answered    the   mason 
-■■.ng.     "My  work  and    my  companions:::;; 
"I-     •     •     •     I  am  going  (oLaon.  to,],,  (hero  as 
niueh  as  I  can  of  the  Lord's  work  •• 

"And  what  is  that  work?    Who  .rt  thon  ?" 
I  -•im  a  bnihlor  for  the  good  God,  a  miserable 

nnd  unworthy  mond,er  of  those  pious  eorpor. 
^  I'o  endeavor,   in  all  phu-os.  oi(hor  to  repair  ol 

HmrelK.  or  t.,  build  new  and  mo 

r  mz  knowest.  most  reverend  father  in  God,  our 

orefathers  were  muoh  alarmed  at  tho  approa  h  of 

J.C  jearonc  thousand,  whieh  thev  thonyht  would 

'nng  tho  end  of  the  world  and  the  great  d  ,y  o 

^l'v;no  justice  ;    but  when   that   voar  had  pa4d 

•■"Hi  I'opc  was  renewe.1  in  their  hearts,  the  world 

comed   to  a-cvivo.     Tho  sacre.l  basilicas  wo.^  re' 

»mlt,  from  bottom  to  top,  i„  almost  all  ,,.u,s  of 

he  world,  especially  in  Italy  and  Gaul,  aithou,^ 
the  greater  number  were  still  solid  enough  to  re- 

'"   "'"'  '-''^'  ••^''^•''  "~    '<•  "ho  would   raise  the 


6» 


The  Old  Chest. 


I  ;■:. 


richest  iiiul  most  hciiiitiftil  i  hurclii's  ;  one  would 
liiivo  Biiid  tliiit  the  wliolc  world,  by  common  con* 
Bont,  hud  thrown  olT  its  rag.i  to  cover  il.<elf  with 
new  churches  as  witii  u  white  piirment.  My 
brethren  and  I  Inive  consecrated  our  HlriMiglli  and 
our  lifo  to  this  generous  toil  ;  we  go  from  city  to 
city,  bod  and  trowel  i'l  band  ;  everywhere  wo 
build  tabcrnacleH  to  the  hidden  God,  wo  raise  asy- 
lums of  prayer,  we  strive  to  make  the  very  stonca 
thomselves  speak  a  lanpuape  wortliy  of  the  Creator  ; 
and  we  hope,  as  the  wages  of  our  labors,  to  obtain, 
after  the  evil  days  of  this  life,  a  place  in  tliafc 
divint)  city,  whose  foundations  are  of  jasper,  and 
its  walls  of  precious  Rtoues."    . 

The  unison  had  become  animaled  ;  his  eyes 
shoue  with  faitli  and  fervor.  The  monk  listened 
attentive  and  charmed  ;  and  I  .  .  .  something 
said  to  me  in  the  dejUhs  of  my  soul.  "Go  and  do 
likewise.  Work  for  God,  forgot  the  world,  and 
thou  wilt  find  peace.'' 

The  bell  announced  the  closing  of  the  gates.  .  I 
left  the  mason  and  the  monk,  and  I  went  to  the 
church,  which  was  left  open  on  account  of  the  next 
day's  fcstivtil.  The  father-master  of  novices  was 
iu  the  confessional  ;  I  knelt  at  his  feet,  and  told 
him  simply  what  I  felt.  He  listened  with  much 
kindness  and  attention,  and  answered  : 

"  It  is  a  great  and  holy  work,  my  son,  to  which 
thou  wouldst  consecrate  thyself.  Thou  wilt  labor 
not  only  for  the  present  time,  but  for  future  gene- 
rations—for those  ages  of  little  faith  which  shall 
come  after  tis,  to  which  the  great  monuments 
erected  by  your  hands  shall  record  the  glory  of 
God,  the  beauly  of  his  house,  and  the  woiulors  of 


The  Old  Chtst. 


H 


vol)  Id 

C'Otl- 

'  with 

My 

I  and 
ity  to 
0  wo 
)  iisy. 
itoncii 
iiitor ; 
bhiin, 
tlittt 
,  iiud 

cyca 
iti'iiod 
tilling 
lul  do 
,  and 

ua.  .  I 
to  tho 

0  next 
;8  was 

1  told 
imich 

which 
labor 
gcuc- 
I  shall 
nicnts 
ory  of 
lor.s  of 


hJH  love.    Thou  art  niihappy  in  tin-  uoijd,  I  think  ; 
thou  art  not  called  to  th(»  rolipioua  life  which  thou 
didst  wish  to  crnhraco  ;  imt  it  may  ho  that  what 
thou  now   foclosL  is  u  divine  inspiration.     .     . 
If  so,  thou  wilt  ho  frco  to  follow  it.     Tray,  inv  s.m, 
and  I  will  also  pmy  for  thoo  and  with  thee.    .    .    ." 
Some  days  passed,  durin;,'  which  tho  mason  did 
not  leave  the  ahbcy.      llo  cdilicd  the  religious  hv 
liis  spirit  of  piety  and  of  penance,  and  he  excited 
such  ardor  in  tho  young  novices  that  they  wished  to 
go  with  him  to  build  temples  to  the  glory  of  tho 
Most  High    (Jod.      ^fy   resohitioii    remained    un- 
shaken, and  the  Father  Ahixit  gave  ww.  iiermission 
to  depart.     I  left  tho  farm  to  my  oldest  brother 
Nicholas,  tho  mill  to  my  young  brotlier  William  ;  I 
took  with  mo  only  a  cross  of  olive-wood,  which  my 
uncloIJaldwin  had  brought  back  from   the  great 
pilgrimage,  and  I  uet  out  poor  and  free. 

Wo  repaired  to  tho  city  of  Laon,  whoso  Bishop 
was  rebuilding  the  principal  church,  which  had 
boon  destroyed  by  tho  barbarians  of  tho  North. 
Oh  !  what  a  fipectaclo  my  eyes  beheld.  Innume- 
rable workmen,  ranged  under  the  orders  of  a  chief, 
called  the  Master  of  Art,  were  occupied,  some  in 
cutting  tho  stone,  in  carving  the  heads  of  pillars, 
the  hmd-rilievi,  the  statue::;  of  saints  ;  others  wore 
cutting  and  fashioning  the  wood,  ])ounding  tho 
mortar,  handling  the  trowel,  or  doing  duty  by 
carrying  building  matcnals  or  eatables. 

All  worked  without  other  salary  than  their  dailv 
bread.  It  was  a  marvel  to  see  powerful  men,  proud 
of  their  birth  and  riches,  accustomed  to  a  life  of 
ease  and  luxury,  fasten  themselves  to  a  car  with 
traces,  and  drag  stones,  lime,  wood,  and  all  tho 


I 
1 


mi 


64 


T/ii'  Old  C/ust. 


nccessrti-y  materials  for  the  construction  of  the 
sacred  eclificc.  Sometimes  a  thousand  persons, 
men  and  women,  were  attacliod  to  the  same  car 
(they  beinj^  sometimes  so  large),  ind  yet  there  w.'i.s 
perfect  silence,  not  the  slightest  whis^per  being 
heard.  Wlicn  they  stopped  on  the  road,  they 
sj-okc  but  only  of  their  sins,  which  they  confessed 
with  prayers  and  tears  ;  then  the  priests  busied 
themselves  in  extinguishing  Jiatred,  having  debts 
,;i.  "tted,  and,  if  they  found  one  hardened  enough 
r  *  to  pardon  his  enemies  and  refuse  to  listen  to 
these  pious  exhortations,  he  was  immediately  un- 
fastened from  the  cart  and  dismissed  from  the 
pious  company.* 

I  was  presented  to  the  corporation  by  my  com- 
panion, who  seemed  to  exercise  some  authority 
over  them,  \.  Jch  was  undoubtedly  duo  to  the  ad- 
mirable talents  which  frod  had  given  him.  He 
directed  the  labors  of  the  masons,  and  under  his 
direction  I  learned  to  erect  walls,  to  build  and  to 
adorn  the  buttresses,  to  design  the  elegant  outlino 
of  arches,  and  to  raise  majestic  towers  to  the  clouds. 
I  was  at  length,,  after  some  pious  ceremonies  tho 
secret  of  which  is  kept  among  us,  received  among 
the  affiliated,  and  sent,  under  the  orders  of  our 
chiefs,  wherever  the  glory  of  God  i-equired  it,  tiiat 
being  the  solo  object '  '  our  art  and  our  labors.  I 
went  on,  for  my  poor  share,  to  erect  the  glorious 
Monastery  of  Saint  ^fartin  of  Tours,  and  the 
church  which  King  Robert  was  having  built  at 
Orleans  in  honor  of  Saint  Aignan,  the  patron  of 

•'■  Tlieso  details  iire  also  in  !i  loKov  of  Itaiv.io-i,  .\.bIjot  of  Kaint 
rierroof  Dives,  in  ^orniandy,  IMJ, 


th; 
t\v 
an 
coi 
ho 
on 
Mi 
Ap 

hci 
tor 
spi 
on 
wil 
figi 
l.rt 
gal 
ele 

0f( 

in 
or 
th: 

(ir 

dai 

of, 

to 

ant 

cat 

ma 

rat 

thi 


The  OU  Chest. 


6; 


I  the 
•sons, 
0  car 

C  W.'i.S 

being 
they 
fessc'tl 
msiccl 
debts 
loiigh 
en  to 

y  "i»- 

II  the 

com- 
liority 
10  ad- 
IIo 
31"  his 
nd  to 
utlinc 
lords. 
es  tho 
imong 
:)f  our 
,  that 
rs.  I 
orious 
d  the 
lilt  at 


of  Saint 


th:it  city.  This  building  was  forty  fathoms  long, 
twelve  in  tliicKnc^!^,  ten  iu  height,  with  si  liundrcd 
and  twenty-three  windows,  and  nineteen  altars, 
consecrated  to  as  many  saints.  The  front  of  this 
hon.sc  of  God  was  built  with  admirable  skill,  and 
on  the  same  plan  us  that  of  the  Convent  of  Saint 
Mary  Motiier  of  Christ,  Saint  Vital,  and  Saint 
Actricohi,  at  Clermont  iu  Auvercfne. 

Tho  saci-cd  art  made  great  ])rogrcss ;  tho  low, 
heavy  pillars  of  the  cathedrals  built  by  our  ances- 
tors were  gi'adually  raised  ;  the  elliptical  arches 
sprang  u])  in  l)older  curves  ;  the  towers  rose  liigher 
on  rows  of  trii)le  arches  ;  the  poilals  were  decorated 
with  ornaments  and  carvings  of  fruits,  pearls,  the 
figures  of  men  and  beasts ;  and  even  some  of  our 
l)rethrcn,  giving  birth  to  new  ideas,  raised,  elon- 
gated the  curves  of  tho  arches,  which,  in  their 
elegant  designs,  resembled  two  hands  raised  and 
joined  in  prayer.  To  this  form  they  gave  the  name 
of  ogival.  Others,  seeking  idways  to  serve  the  Lord 
in  the  person  of  their  brethren,  built  hospitals 
or  threw  bridges  over  rivers ;  and  1  have  heard 
that,  in  Provcr.ce,  a  shepherd  named  I3enez3t,  in- 
.'^l)ired  by  God,  built,  without  any  human  knovkuge 
or  resources,  an  admirahle  bridge  over  the  most 
dangerous  ))art  of  the  Ilhonc.  May  God  aid  men 
(jf  good-will ! 

As  long  as  God  left  mo  strength,  I  consecnited  it 
to  these  pious  labors,  happy  in  working  for  heaven, 
and  to  roaiize,  in  raising  these  chapels,  churches, 
cathedrals,  the  grandest  idea  vthich  it  is  given  lo 
man  to  conceive  hero  below — the  worship  and  ado- 
ration of  the  Sovereign  Lord.  I  was  liapjiy  in 
thinking  tiiat  iifter  us,   when  wo  have  long  I'd-n 


1 


I' 


66 


The  Old  Chest. 


sleei)ing  forgotten  in  our  graves,  generations  will 
coino  and  pray  bencatli  these  vaults  raised  by  our 
hands  ;  I  felt  an  iuelTablc  consolatior^  in  collecting 
the  stones  for  the  altars  on  which  the  most  sweet 
Saviour  Jesus  will  immolate  himself  till  the  end  of 
time;  I  redoubled  my  confulenco  in  Mary,  Our 
Lady,  Mother  of  God  and  our  hope,  when  I  contri- 
buted to  build  her  chapels,  Avhcrc  so  many  afllicted 
souls  shall  come  and  find  peace  ;  and  the  m  'mory 
of  all  these  iiouses  of  God,  to  which  I  brought  my 
stone  and  my  sweat,  still  consoles  and  rejoices  me 
now  Avhen  I  am  old  and  infirm  at  my  fireside.  I 
was  already  old,  and  was  still  working  at  the  build- 
ing of  the  ciiapel  of  the  Monastery  of  Ferri^ro  in 
Gatinoia,  where  travellers  and  the  sick  were  received 
and  siieltercd,  when  I  was  asked  to  assist  in  carr}'- 
ing  a  poor  sick  pilgi'im  into  tlic  interior  of  the 
house.  I  went,  and  I  saw  a  man  of  some  forty 
years,  who  seemed  overcome  Avith  fatigue  and  ill- 
ness. He  had  with  him  a  shophei"d's  scrip  and  a 
viol.  I  raised  him,  and  helped  to  place  him  gently 
ou  u  bed  ;  there  his  oyc?  opened,  he  looked  at  me, 
and  I  seemed  to  meet  my  mother's  look,  Avhich  re- 
turned to  me  through  the  eyes  of  her  last  born,  my 
young  brother  Ilervo.  I  kept  apart  while  they 
attended  to  his  first  wants,  and  when  he  was  alone, 
inside  the  serge  curtains,  T  went  and  knelt  beside 
him.  lie  was  not  aslt'op.  lie  spoke  in  a  weak  and 
fevcrisli  voice,  and  his  words  were  like  the  cadence 
of  the  hymns  and  canticles  which  we  sang  as  we 
went  to  work.  I  took  liis  hand,  he  turned  towards 
me  ;  his  eyes  shone  like  a  dying  Limp. 

"  What  wouldst  thou  of  nio  :"  said  he. 

''I  would  know  tliy  name."' 


tl 
oj 
m 
ai 


lo 


Si 

m 
m 

m 
m 

ill 
hf 

Wl 

h! 

W( 

of 

th 

of 

sp 

wi 
sh 
an 
F, 


'»-ii 


Thr  OU  L  lust. 


6; 


"My  name  is  Ilervi'.  and  I  am  a  troubadour  at 
the  court  of  tlio  ui(;.sL  mighty  Loril  William,  Duke 
of  Kormanuy,  .  ,  .'  I  geek  a  lay  in  honor  of 
my  Lady  iMary,  ^lotlier  of  God  ;  but  my  thougliti 
are  conftiscd  ;    .     .     .     I  am  suffering." 

"Ilervi',"  eiied  I,  '•  wort  thou  not  born  on  the 
lands  of  tlio  Abltoy  of  EInon  ?'' 

"It  is  true;  and  the  taste  for  tlie  gay  art,  the 
love  of  adventure,  has  led  me  far  from  my  family 
and  my  country.'' 

"  Ilervi',  dost  thou  not  know  tliy  brother 
Simon  ?''     ... 

He  raised  himself  and  looked  at  me  for  a  mo- 
ment; then  he  threw  his  trembling  arms  around 
my  neck,  and  said  with  tears  : 

'■  Is'  it  thou,  0  my  brother  ?  I  see,  then,  one  of 
my  own  before  I  die.  Blessed  be  God,  and  thee, 
most  sweet  Virgin  I'' 

We  embraced  each  other  with  inexpressible  joy, 
though  mingled  with  bitterness,  for  I  felt  that  I 
Lad  found  my  brother  only  to  lose  him.  In  broken 
words  he  told  mc  his  life  ;  ho  had  been  famous,  ho 
had  composed  lays,  songs,  fables,  which  had 
Auni  the  applause  of  no1)lo  ladies,  of  i)rincep,  and 
of  barons;  and  his  sickness  had  attacked  him  in 
the  midst  of  his  success  and  his  glory.  .  .  .  He 
oU'ercd  to  God  tiie  sacrilice  of  his  life,  and  yet  he 
spoke  one  of  his  verses,  and  said  : 

"I  shall  not  be  forgotten.  .  .  .  Mv  versos 
will  go  down  \m  posteiily.  Tlio  song  of  Rohnul 
shall  bo  sung  in  the  hall  of  b.inms  to  excite  faith 
and  valor  in  the  minds  of  the  young  men.  .  .  . 
Fuirdamsels  will  repeat  my  lays  and  my  songs."'  .  .  . 

He  interrupted  himself,  and  exclaimed  :  "Alas  ! 


68 


Til,-  DUI  i'liisf. 


my  .Saviuiir,  par-l.)  i  ;i  proud  .sinner.      \W  merciful 
to  liiiu  at  the  ('ay  of  judgmoiit" 

Towards  morning  he  grew  worse ;  lie  a,skcd  for 
and  received  tlie  Sacraments  ivitii  great  devoiion, 
and  about  noon  of  tiie  same  day  he  died.  .  .  . 
O  merciful  God  !  roccivo  liis  ,=oul  into  i)aradise. 

1  had  Ie:ir..(Hl  to  road,  and  I  examined  the  paper.s 
U'ft  b\  II, y  [)oor  hrollier.  'L'iiey  Avere  rhymes,  8on)e 
linLslied,  s'une  uueonipletcu  thoughts,  of  wliich  ho 
l)ore  tile  f^eeret  into  tlic  grave. 

Old  age  liad  come  ;  my  hand  was  heavy  and  my 
eyes  were  diin ;  I  left  Hie  corporation  and  nty 
lirelhren  in  hiljor  and  in  prtiyer ;  I  returned  to 
Elnon  to  die,  where  my  father  and  mother  had 
died.  My  brotlier  Nicholas  was  living,  and  had 
several  children  ;  but  I  heard  strange  things  con- 
cerning my  brother  William  the  miller. 

The  land  v.liich  ho  held  had  been  sold  to  the 
Baron  of  .Mort  main.  William  had  followed  his  lord 
over  the  sea  to  the  country  of  the  English.  The 
Duke  of  Normandy  headed  this  expedition  ;  he  con- 
((ucred  the  land ;  from  being  a  duke  ho  became  a 
king,  and  all  who  had  accompanied  him  had  great 
gain.  The  poor  foot-soldier,  avIio  had  crossed  the 
sea  with  a  stuffed  doublet  and  ti  bow  of  black  wood, 
donned  the  shirt  of  mail  and  mounted  the  steed  of 
a  knight ;  the  mere  knight  became  rich  enough  to 
raise  a  banner  and  asseml)le  a  company  of  men-at- 
urm.s;  the  Xorman  herdsmen  and  Flemish  '..-eavers 
became  nobles ;  it  was  said  that  William  had  mar- 
ried an  English  girl  of  noble  lineage  ;  ho  had  be- 
come the  possessor  of  her  lands^  and  one  of  the 
feudal  lords  of  the  kingdom  wliieh  the  Coiuiueror, 
as  they  call  him,  had  founded.     .Alav  the,«e  riches 


b( 
a£ 
re 
ov 
Jt 
ca 
so 
D 


The  OU  Clii'st. 


69 


lerciful 

ccd  for 
vol  ion, 

•         •  • 

ise. 

?,  some 
1  it'll  lie 

iiul  my 
lid  nty 
iicd  to 
er  had 
id  had 
'%  con- 


bo  not  a  curso  to  him  !  Wo  shall  iiovci-  seo  liim 
again.  As  for  mu,  with  my  brother  and  liis  cliihl- 
ren,  I  await  in  peace  tlie  lioiir  of  my  death.  I  tliink 
over  the  labors  of  my  youth,  and  from  tho.so  eartiily 
Jerusalcms  which  I  hel])cd  to  build,  my  mind  is  re- 
called to  the  heavenly  Jerusalem,  to  which  I  hope 
soon  to  be  admitted,  through  Iho  grace  of  the 
Divine  Saviour,  Jesus. 


to  the 
lis  lord 
TIio 
iccon- 
:anie  a 
.  great 
ed  the 
wood, 
;eed  of 
Ligh  to 
len-at- 
eavcrs 
'  ni ar- 
id be- 
)f  the 
ueror, 
jifhos 


VIII. 

TiiK  riasADrn — twklitii  (M'.XTrnY. 

I  WAS  still  very  yoim<r,  a  little  boy  of  scarcely 
thirteen,  mIicu  .sDmethiiig  extraordinary  took  place 
in  the  coi'jitiy  ia  wliieli  we  lived.  Every  one, 
monks,  barons,  frco-holders,  vassals,  men,  women, 
children,  coming  from  the  most  distant  places, 
crowded  under  the  lindens  which  surrounded  the 
church,  and  waited  there,  in  great  fear  and  rever- 
ence, as  if  they  expected  either  the  bisliop  or  the 
sovereign  of  the  country.  The  bells  rang ;  I  was 
waiting  like  the  others,  souicd  on  a  block  of  stone, 
and  my  heart  boat,  I  knew  not  why.  At  longtii 
was  heard  in  the  distance  the  sound  of  footsteps 
and  of  horses ;  the  monks  were  chanting  "  Bene- 
dictns  qui  venit  in  nomine  Domini!"*  the  people 
cried  '•  Noiil !  Noel ! "  f  the  ranks  opened,  and  the 
Lord  Abbot  appeared,  having  on  his  left  tiio  Lord 
d'Esne,  a  patron  of  the  Abbey,  and  on  his  right  u 
small  man  of  low  stature,  clad  in  a  woollen  cloak, 
carrying  a  pilgrim's  staff,  mounted  on  a  mule,  and 
of  very  unpretending  appearance ;  and  yet  all  the 
honors  were  directed  to  him.  lie  got  down  from 
his  mule,  threw  himself  at  the  feet  of  the  Lord 

*  "  Blessed  is  he  who  cometh  in  the  name  of  the  Lonl  ! " 
+  Literally,  "Christmas." 


a? 
f( 

Pl 
tl 

fo 

ed 
CI 
si( 
Ci 

ai: 

fo 

th 

thi 

th( 

frc 

th( 

of 

rci 

sui 

an( 

!!n( 

the 

hac 

shr 

he 

chi 

of! 

exa 

mil 

wit' 

dea 


'Ihc  Old  ill, St. 


71 


scarcely 
)k  pliice 
iiy  one, 
women, 

places, 
led  the 
I  rover- 

or  the 
;  I  was 
I  stone, 

longtli 
)otstcps 
"  Benc- 

people 
md  the 
e  Lord 
right  u 
I  cloak, 
lie,  and 
all  the 
n  from 
e  Lord 

[1  ! " 


Abbot,  whoso  blessing  he  Immbly  received,  and 
af^ccndod  a  little  i>latform  which  had  been  erected 
fnr  him.  Thence  he  cast  a  long  look  on  the  peo- 
ple, raised  hi,s  eyes  to  heaven,  and,  in  a  low  and 
thrilling  voice,  ho  uttered  words  that  I  have  never 
forgotten. 

Ho  spoke  of  the  Holy  Land,  which  he  had  visit- 
ed, of  the  glorious  sepulchre  of  onr  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  of  the  jjlace.s  which  had  witnessed  his  Tas- 
sion,  of  the  Garden  of  Olives,  of  the  Pra.'torium,  of 
Calvary  ;  ho  recalled  all  the  memories  of  our  faith, 
all  that  our  divine  and  most  sweet  Saviour  suffered 
for  us  ;  he  told  how  he  had  seen  the  places  watered 
by  the  blood  of  our  IJedeemer,  how  he  had  followed 
the  sorrowful  Way  of  the  Cross,  kissed  the  stone  of 
tlie  most  Holy  Sepulchre  ;  and  when  the  picture  of 
the  love  and  sufferings  of  Jesus  had  drawn  tears 
from  all  eyes,  then  he  reminded  the  muKitude  that 
these  holy  and  venerable  places  were  in  ilie  poAver 
of  unbelievers,  tliat  the  disciples  of  Mohammed  were 
reigning  there  where  Christ  had  deigned  to  live,  to 
suffer,  and  to  die.     He  dcscriljcd  the  profanations 
and  sacrileges  which  ho  had  wil:nessed,  the  torments 
and  tlie  persecutions  tiiat  a  godless  people  made 
those  endure  who  went  to  visit  the  Iloly  Land.    He 
had  seen  Christians  loaded  Avith  irons,  dragged  into 
slavery,  fastened  to  the  yoke  like  beasts  of  burden  ; 
he  had  seen  the  oppressors  of  Jerusalem  sell  to  the 
children  of  Christ  the  permission  to  salute  the  tomb 
of  their  God,  wring  from  tliem  their  very  bread,  and 
exact  tributes  even  from  poverty ;  he  had  seen  the 
ministers  of  God  torn  frojn  the  sanctuary,  beaten 
with  scourges,  and  condemned  to  an  ignominious 
death.     ... 


7"' 


Tlu  Old  r/u-st. 


As  he  woiil  1)11,  all  hearts  swelled  with  anger  ami 
with  grief.  A  dull  niurimir  ran  through  tlic  crowd, 
women  wept,  men  placed  tlieir  hand  on  tlioir  knives 
or  their  sword.s.  At  length  the  Lord  Gaultier  do 
Douai,  who  was  amongst  hi;^  hearer.s,  advanced  the 
first,  and  asked  to  enter  in  the  *'  Way  of  Ood,"  and 
the  Lord  Abhot  immediately  took  from  the  hands  of 
the  prior  a  cross  of  red  cloth,  which  he  fastened  on 
the  shoulder  of  that  bravo  knight.  Every  voice 
cried  out  ''God  wills  it  !  (iod  wills  it  I"'  and  the 
men  went  in  hundreds  to  receive  the  cross,  and 
pledge  themselves  ])y  vow  to  the  truce  of  God  with 
Christian  people,  and  to  war  against  the  infulcls. 
The  priests  blessed  those  who  received  the  sign  of 
the  holy  war,  saying  : 

"  Receive  this  sign,  the  symbol  of  the  passion  and 
death  of  the  Saviour  of  the  world,  so  that  in  thy 
journey  sin  and  misfortune  may  not  overtake  thee, 
and  that  thou  mayest  return  hai)pier,  and,  above 
all,  better,  to  thy  kindred." 

And  the  jieople  repeated  : 

''lis  wlio  will  not  bear  his  cross  and  come  after 
mo  is  not  worthy  of  me." 

Others  exclaimed  : 

"  The  coward  remains  liehind  ;    for  me,  I  will 

go." 

The    poor   pilgrim  who  had  thus  put  into  Ihe 

hearts  of  all  this  great  and  ardent  desire  was  called 

Peter  tl>c  Hermit. 

Soon  the  castles  jind  the  fields  were  deserted  ; 

roli'dous  went   forth  from  the  cloisters,  hermits 

O 

quitted  their  solitudes,  and,  like  a  torrent,  this  in- 
calculable multituLle  ruslied  towards  the  East.  Of 
these  brave  men,  a  great  number  following  the  lead 


The  Old  C/u-st. 


71 


2;er  and 
crowd, 
•knives 
Itior  do 
Ljcd  the 
il,"  and 
lands  of 
}ncd  oil 
y  voice 
md  the 
ss,  11  nd 
nd  with 
infulels. 
sign  of 

ion  and 

in  thy 

ko  tlioi', 

1,  above 


no  after 


,  I  will 

nto  the 
IS  called 

cpcrtcd  ; 
hermits 
this  in- 
iist.  Of 
the  lead 


of  Vtmh'm-  Sans  Avoir,  perished  in  llie  forests  of 
Eastern  Europe;  others,  wi.'^erimd  more  prudent, 
under  the  command  of  a  knipht  of  our  countrv, 
Godfrey  dc  Bouillon,  advanced  to  Jerusalem,   "l 
liavc  heard  from  men,  learned  in  the   things  of 
Ciod,  (hat  the  whole  Eastern  Church  had  known 
licforchand  ..f  the  wonderful  event  which  was  to 
deliver  it  ;  (lie  saints  and  the  kings  of  apes  pone 
hefo'c  had  announced  to  thojiatriarchs  and  hishoj. 
the  arrival   of   the  crusaders,   and    the   shade  cf 
Charlemagne  was  seen  exhorting  the  Christian.'  .-. 
combat  the  infidels. 

The  holy  city  was  taken  after  mnny  battles  f.!)(. 
great  hardships  endured  by  the  Christians;  the 
Lord  Godfrey  was  elected  king,  but -he  •  i-l 
neithci-  bo  consecrated  nor  crowned  king  of  Jeiusa- 
lem,  because  he  did  not  wish  to  wear  a  crown  of 
gold  where  the  King  of  kings,  Jesus  Christ,  the 
Son  of  God,  wore  a  crown  of  thorns  on  the  day  of 
his  passion.  In  the  hall  of  the  baron  as  in  the  hut 
of  the  serf  were  sung  the  cx])loits  and  the  valor  of 
the  aufenders  or  the  cross,  and  almost  every  family 
congratuhitcd  itself  on  having  given  a  soldier  to 
Jesus  Christ  and  a  martyr  to  heaven.  All  were 
eager  to  celebrate  the  glory  of  the  most  ])i()us  God- 
frey, that  of  Tancred,  and  of  the  Count  of  Flanders, 
our  mighty  lord,  Eobert,  who  Mas  called  the 
son  of  Saint  George,  the  lance  and  sword  of  Chris- 
tians. 

But,  notwithstanding  the  valor  of  these  bravo 
knights  and  their  successors,  and  of  all  the  Chris- 
tian people  who  marched  under  thei/  command, 
the  unbelievers  ceased  not  to  threaten  the  Huh 
City,  and,  forty-five  years  after  the  taking  of  .Joru. 


74 


riu  Old  (-■//<. s/. 


BulcMi,  tlic  ciiiisK  (if  our  Liinl  .lesii>  aiitl  tlic  frmit 
voyispo  beyond  the  sen  wen-  pmiclail  iig;iiii.    It  \v;is 
in' tho  ivign  of  Louir)  llic   Sovoiilli,   'I'liiorry  of 
Alfiu'O  beiii;:  Count  of  I'lamlcr-w     1  who  write  thin 
luid  l>ivn  from  my  youlli    in    tlic   service   of   tlio 
AblK'y  of  Kliiou,  jinil  r  iiiid  piined  some  renown  in 
tlic  use  of  Ibo  bow  iiud  arrow,  biiving  loved  urnis 
jis  well  i!h)   the  plon;;!!,  ulien    (be    pliiec  where  I 
dwell  was  exehan^ied  lor  some  lan<l  (f  the  Siie  dc 
Noyeiles,  and  I  ])assed  with  tlie  Boil  into  the  ser- 
•vico  of  the  ut'W  lord.     This  was  in  the  year  of  Our 
Ltrd  lUa.      I  was  p;ricved  at  seeiu},'  myself  with 
my  children  friven  over  to  the  service  of  any  othci 
miister  than  ihc  monks,  Avho  Avere  good  and  gcntlo 
lords  to  us;  but  my  heart  was  comforted  when  my 
master  idaced  me  in  the  innnl)er  of  bis  men-at- 
jirnis,  and  the  holy  war  was  proclaimed  throughout 
the  barony.     It  was  preached  by  tho  IJlessed  Ber- 
nard, Al)iiot    of  Clairvaux,  a  holy  man  endowed 
with  the  gilt  of  miracles.     Being  in  the  retinue  of 
my  lord.  I  heard  and  saw  this  admirable  n...n  ;  it 
was  at  Etam])cs,  where,  in  presence  of  the  king 
and  tiie  great  barons,  he  jireaehcd  the  crusades. 
He  was  irresistible;   exhausted  by  the  fasts  and 
privations  of  the  desert,  the  breath  of  life  being 
harcly  iu  him,  he  p.ersuaded  by  bis  aspect  before  he 
did  SCI  bv  bis  words  ;  hi;  voice  was  strong  in  a  frail 
bodv  :  simi)le  with  the  simple,  it  was  said  that  he 
was"  learned  with  tho  learned,  and  abounding  in  in- 
Bl ructions  full  of  science  and  of  virtue  with  men  of 
lofty  mind.     On  hearing  his  discourse,  which  pene- 
trated and  inllamed  the  heart,  all  arose  and  asked 
lor  tho  cross.      ^My  lord  took  it  and  caused  his  fol- 
lowers to  take  it  ;'aiul,  about  rcnleeust  of  the  year 


\ 


Tlw  Old  Chtst. 


n 


IS  iiud  llic  jriviit 
(.(l  ag!iiii.  It  w;i8 
iitli,   'I'liicrry  of 

1  who  write  tliirf 
L)  service  of  tlio 
I  some  renown  in 
ving  loved  iirnjs 
('  iiliuo  wlierc  I 
(1  (if  the  Siie  dc 
^(lil  into  the  ser- 
1  the  ,\-;ir  of  C)ut 
eing  myself  with 
, iee  of  any  other 
(  good  and  gcnllo 
iifoi'ted  when  my 
■r  of  his  men  al- 
ii nied  throughout 
the  Blessed  lier- 
ly  man  endowctl 
in  the  retinne  of 
Imirahlc  n...n  ;  it 
cnee  of  tlic  king 
icd  the  erusudes. 
hy  the  fasts  and 
ath  of  life  heing 
s  aspeet  hi'forc  he 
s  strong  ill  a  frail 
was  said  that  he 
1  ahoundingiu  in- 
irtue  Avith  men  of 
5urse,  Avhieli  pene- 

avose  and  asked 
ul  caused  his  fol- 
ilceost  of  the  vcar 


1 14T,  wo  set  out  on  the  holy  pilgrimage.  A\('  I'l-I- 
lowed  the  hanner  of  the  C'onni  (f  Maixh  is,  (  f 
whom  iny  lord  was  ii  vassal,  'i'lie  il.iwer  of  rhi\aliy 
had  taken  the  cross;  descrtcil  towns  and  casilis 
were  seen  with  widows  and  orpiians  wiio^e  hn.-hamls 
and  fathers  were  still  li\ing.  ^Ve  marched  towards 
the  East,  keeping  in  great  jieuee  and  concord  with 
tlie  inhahitants  of  the  countries  through  which  wc 
jiasscd  ;  hut,  when  we  had  reached  the  fronticrsof 
the  (rrcek  Knipire,  the  army  iM'gau  to  snlftr  from 
want  ;  the  inhaliitants  Bliut  themselves  up  in 
(heir  towns  and  castles,  letting  down  to  us  their 
jirovisioiis  with  cords  from  the  top  of  (he  walls. 
This  (ardy  way  of  f.irnishing  us  with  food  could  not 
satisfy  (he  multitude  of  ])ilgrims,  and,  weary  of  suf- 
fering from  famine  in  a  count ly  iihonnding  in 
everything,  they  hegan  to  jirocuio  what  ti:(y  re- 
quired hy  thefi.  and  ])illage.  1  sparcil  as  much 
iis  I  could  the  jioor  peasants,  rememhering  what  I 
was  myself,  and  thinking,  as  I  saw  poor  lielplcs 
creatures,  of  my  wife  and  my  children  whom  J  had 
left  so  far  away. 

The  Greck.s  hastened  Avith  every  means  in  their 
])ower  the  departure  of  the  Latins.  The  Germans, 
suhjecis  of  the  Emperor  Conrad,  took  their  way 
(owards  Phrygia,  hut,  having  only  provisions  f(ir 
eight  days,  and  pressed  hy  an  inealculahle  nundiii' 
of  the  enemy,  they  were  ohliged  to  heat  a  retreat, 
and  their  Emperor  came  to  the  King  of  France, 
and  said  :  '"'My  Lord  King,  you  whom  nature  has 
given  mc  for  a  neighhor  and  a  kinsmen,  and  whom 
God  has  preserved  to  protect  me  in  ;■.  jiressing  necessi- 
ty, I  wish  to  he  no  longer  separated  from  you.  Let 
my  tciitii  1c  pitched  where  you  think  hcst,  J  only 


76 


The  Old  dhst. 


Utfk  you  |()  permit  that  my  •■<>iii|iaiuf>ns.iii-uniiH  may 
join  with  vniiiH."  'I'iio  Kin;,'  rccoivcil  him  witli 
jrivat  Kiiitiiii'.-s ;  iiiul  fmm  that  linit«  the  two 
arinicM  inanhtMl  togelhci'.  and  the  Ein|Hnir  had  iio 
0thri-(l\vcIiin;,'lhaM  liialof  llic  Kin;,' <>f  Fiaiicc. 

Two  (lays  al'tci-  K'avin.u'  tln'  town  of  Landicca, 
tho  army  camo  to  the  foot  of  ii  hi^di.  \>{ck\\  moun- 
tain, and  the  kin^  wiit  forward  the  Count  do 
Maurionnc  ami  (JcolTroy  do  I'lancofriii'.  uitli  ordor^ 
to  oucupy  the  rn'>t  of  the  mountain,  and  thus  to 
secure  tiio  Kifoty  of  Iho  army.  Hut.  (hamo  on 
these  imprudent  and  disloyal  knigiiisl  inf^tead  of 
oheyiiipf  their  jirince,  they  went  down  the  opiio.^ito 
hide  of  the  mountain,  and  jdaiited  the  tents  of  the 
vanguard  in  the  plain,  and  the  Turk-  immedi.ilely 
fell  upon  llie  Christian  hattalions.  wiiich  wero 
peacefu'\y  delilin;,'  liiroiifrh  the  mountain  pas.ses. 
Thoy  Hont  njion  us  showers  of  arrows  willi  too  sure 
an  aim,  and  horses,  riders,  and  beasts  of  hunle.i, 
rolling  down  the  roeks,  dragged  witli  thein  into 
the  al)yss  all  that  Ihcy  met  within  fhcir  fail. 
The  day  was  deelining,  and  the  gulf  was  being 
tilled  more  and  more  with  the  r"mnaids  of  our 
army.  The  infidi'ls  pursued  us  KW(-rd  in  hand  ; 
the  eeutral  wing  of  tlic  army,  where  the  poor  un- 
armed i)eople  had  gathered,  was  furiously  attacked, 
and  the  defenceless  mnltitudo  tied  like  a  Hock  of 
sheep.  The  King  of  France,  like  a  faitliful  Chris- 
tian and  hravo  knight,  hastened  to  throw  himself 
into  the  thickest  of  the  fight.  Very  soon  separated 
from  his  escort  and  left  alone,  he  abandoned  his 
steed,  and,  seizing  the  branches  of  a  tree,  sprang  to 
the  top  of  a  rock.  A  number  of  the  enemy  rushed 
upon    him  to   make   him  prisoner,  whil.-t   others 


riii-  ou  ciust. 


s-m-iiniiH  inny 
veil  him  witli 
tinit'  (lie  (w<» 
[ilH'nir  had  iiu 
;  (if  FiaiHc. 
(if    Laiidiccti, 

1,   fiU'Cl)  IIKIUII- 

Ihc  C'dunt  (1(^ 
10,  uith  (inleriL 
1.  and  tlnis  to 
111,  rhanic  on 
ts  I  instead  (if 
I  tho  Djijidi^ite 
ic  tints  of  iho 
, -  iniini'diati'ly 
,  wliich  wiT'j 
nntain  i)a.>*riC's. 
)  with  too  sure 
A'A  of  hnrdoj, 
til  them  into 
n  their  fail. 
ulf  wad  Ijcing 
mants  of  our 
ord  in  liand  ; 
3  the  poor  un- 
Duslyattactcc'il, 
il\0  a  Uock  of 
faitlifiil  (luis- 
throw  himself 
soon  poparatod 
alnuuloncd  his 
tree,  spraiifr  to 
enemy  rnshod 
whi!.-t   others 


Hhiit  lh(  ir  ;:rro\vs  at  him  fmin  iil'ur;  lait,  liiaiiks  i  !■ 
to  (}od,  his  liauliirk  iirc-crvcd  oim,  mid  difiiiilii.},' 
« it  h  his  Moody  ,<udrd  the  miKMhich  Kr\(d  him 
li-i  a  i'c'fii;,'i',  he  htniik  oil'  the  hands  and  the  IiiudH 
of  scvinilof  his  tifnaihmts.  The  lattir.  not  knov.- 
in.LT  liim,  and  Ncciiif,' thai  it  wonid  Ic  dillitiilt  to 
fieiz.'  him  left  him,  to  po  and  dispiite  for  the  spoils 
of  the  dead  on  the  liattle-lield. 

l're.ss(>d  l»v  nundiers,  alarmed  hy  the  ni;.dit,  di.»- 
handeil,  and  waiiderinu' on  the  inontitain-.-iihi^.  the 
army  Keemed  lost.  I  roniid  invMlf,  v.  iili  my  i(^rd, 
whose  esq n ire  1  was,  near  the  Ivevcnnd  (Jraiid  Mt;.'- 
lor  of  tho  Tem]dars,  who  was  named  Kvrard  (Us 
IJarres.  It  wnin;,' my  heart  to  see  the  roekseovered 
■with  the  liodie.i  of  our  comrades,  and  k)  many  lira\o 
men  <:iven  np  (o  the  chains  of  the  infidelH,  like 
theep  to  the  knife  of  the  Initcher.  It  secmeil  ti 
mo  that  lliey  mi{,'ht  ho  saved,  and,  full  of  this 
thoufrhl,  I  approached  my  master  and  tlic  brave 
Templar. 

"  What  wouldst  thou,  (iilliert  ? "'  said  the  Sire  de 
Noyelles. 

*•  My  hird,"  answered  I,  '•' and  yon,  valiant  and 
most  Iieveri'nd  (Jrand  Ma.  er,  wonld  you  ])ermit  a 
j)oor  man  to  tell  ym  what  God  has  iKit  into  liis 
heart?' 

"  Speak,  my  'irother." 

'•Speak  with  conlidence,  fiilherl.'' 

"Well,  tho  army  is  lost  if  it  continues  to  march 
without  orders.  Let  the  Kin;:  of  France,  or  my 
lord  Thierry  of  Flanders,  (  r  tliou,  most  nol  Ic  lord, 
ydacehimseli  at  tho  head  of  ihcfcostrapfrlin?;  hands  ; 
let  the  leaders  choose  some  lieutenants,  who  shall 
each  have  fifty  men  unclcr  his  orders  ;  let  those  men 


78 


The  Old  Chest. 


liroccde  and  flank  llic  army  ;  lot  tlio  men-at-arms 
Avho  have  lost  ilicir  horses  1)0  formed  into  troops  of 
arcliers  to  cover  tlie  rear-guard  ;  let  us  m.ircli  as 
close  and  united  as  is  (lie  holy  trefoil,  and  the  in- 
fidels Avill  retreat  !  .  .  .  Pardon  my  presump- 
tion, noblo  lord."'     .     .     . 

"  Pardon  thee  !  "  -jried  the  Grand  Master.  ' '  Bless- 
ed be  God,  wlio  has  put  into  thy  mouth  the  counsel 
which  must  save  the  army  !  Thou  hast  hidden 
these  things  from  the  Aviso  and  prudent,  0  Lord, 
and  thou  hast  revealed  them  to  the  t^imple  !  " 

*'  Gilbert's  advice  seems  very  vvi;e,-'  added  the  Lord 
of  Xoyolles  ;  "and,  if  thou  thinkcst  it  best,  Eeve- 
rend  Grand  Master,  mc  shall  go  and  communicate 
it  to  my  lord  the  King.     Follow  us,  Gilbert." 

I  accompanied  them  to  the  King's  ])rcsence,  and 
my  lord  disclosed  to  him  the  ])lan  which  I  had  con- 
ceived. The  King  chisjied  his  Jiands  and  raised 
them  to  heaven,  saying  : 

'*  Praise  be  to  tlie  Lord,  our  host  shall  be  paved  ! 
Gilbert,  if  I  ever  sec  the  land  of  France  again,  thou 
slialt  be  free  and  rich  ! — Reverend  Grand  ]\Iaster,  I. 
give  thee  command,  save  our  brethren^  and  I  will 
serve  under  thy  orders  as  an  esrjuire.  Act,  and 
may  God  guard  thee  !  " 

The  Grand  Master  took  the  commanil,  and  he 
manoeuvred  with  so  much  wisdom  and  jirudcncc 
that  the  army  was  happily  enabled  to  cross  tlie 
defiles,  and  arrive  at  the  town  of  Satalia,  where  it 
found  provisions  and  rest.     Glory  be  to  God  alone,* 


♦History  records  that  r.  raan  named  Ciilbcrt,  v/lioso  country 
and  liucago  wcro  uiilcnowii,  i  avod  by  his  wise  coxnif-els  the 
Christian  army  from  tlio  danger  into  \vhich  CJeoffroy  do 
Plaucogno  and  the  Count  de  Maurioiine  had  thrown  it. 


=",^W(*s**t*w«tta 


•^■•M)«MM>i<M>ia 


The  l\'J  Clu-st. 


79 


meii-ut-arms 
iito  troops  of 
IS  m.ircli  !!s 
and  tlic  iii- 
iiy  prcsunip- 

tcr.  "BIcss- 
L  the  counsel 
liiist  liidden 
int,  0  Lord, 
iplc  ! "' 
Jed  the  Lord 
t  l)Os(-,  Iteve- 
ommuiiicate 
ilbcrt." 
rcscncc,  and 
li  I  Iiad  oon- 
aud  raised 

-11  be  paved  ! 
again,  thou 
id  blaster,  1 
,  and  I  will 
.     Aot,  and 

ind,  and  lie 
id  prudence 
:o  cross  the 
ia,  where  it 
God  alone,* 

vlioso  country 
0  counsels  the 
.  CJeotfroy  do 
5wn  it. 


'I'lii.s  second  crusade  was  nut  Fuccessl'ul,  and  my 
memory,  eiifceljled  by  ape,  cannot  recall  all  llie  in- 
cidents of  it.  Gradually  the  mo<t  powerful  lords, 
discouraged  by  ilic-e  continual  defeats,  returned  to 
Europe ;  the  army  loecanic  more  and  more  wcnkc'ied. 
.  .  .  I  failbfully  followed  the  fortunes  of  i;iy 
lord,  and  with  him  I  was  enabled  lo  accomplish 
(he  object,  cf  the  holy  pilgrimage  and  venerate  the 
tomb  of  our  Saviour.  So  many  hardc-hips  were 
none  too  much  for  such  ii  luipiiincss. 

I  saw  at  Jerusalem  the  nu)st  illustrious  Countess 
of  Flanders,  Sybille,  devoted  lo  the  c;ae  (f  (lie 
poor  i'.nd  of  lepers.  ITcr  lord  and  husband  gave 
her  to  Jesus  Christ  in  the  poor,  and.  in  cr.tliangc 
for  his  companion  wliom  he  left  in  Palestine,  h.e 
brought  liack  v,-i(h  Iiim  a,  dr(!p  (C  the  divine  blood, 
received  of  old  by  Joseidi  of  Ariuialhea.  AVe  also 
returned  to  France.  I  came  back  as  I  went,  j)o(U' 
and  a  serf.  The  King  of  France  had  I'orgntten  his 
promise.  Tiie  valiant  Grand  ^Faster  who  had  l;c- 
friendcd  me  died  sword  iu  hand,  ^fy  lord,  v.hibi 
praising  my  services,  and  lauding  the  prudence  and 
courage  of  Gilbert,  did  not  wisli  (o  deprive  hi.; 
barony  of  a  vassal.  ...  I  am  what  I  was  be- 
fore.  My  children  Avill  be  V  hat  I  am.  .  .  .  .May 
the  will  of  God  be  praised  !  A  soldier  of  ihe  cross 
should  not  murmur ! 


IX. 


TITH   SKI?!' — TinUTKF.XTir    rKN'TT-RV. 

n  )\v  jriwu  iiro  tlie  miseries  of  tlii.s  a;?e  I  O  most 
sWv'jr.  most  moivifiil  L:)ihI  Jesus  !  whiit  have  wo 
done  to  thee  that  tliou  shoulLlst  subjeet  us  to  such 
slavery  !  As  men  we  are  bound  to  tlie  earth,  avc 
form  part  oi;  the  lautl  on  -wlucli  we  labor ;  as  soldiers, 
we  never  li^ht  for  our  owi  cause ;  as  Avorkmen, 
laborers,  to  others  belong  tho  fruit  of  our  labors. 
Our  lords  weigh  us  down,  as  tho  millstone  docs  tlio 
gi'ain  it  grimls ;  we  find  tliem'cverywhere.;  there 
is  no  freedom  anywliere  ;  everything  is  burdened 
Avith  taxes,  furniture,  provisions,  merchandise,  land, 
and  water.  For  tho  serf,  the  peasant,  and  even 
the  burgher  in  the  towns,  toll  at  tlie  gates,  on  the 
bridges,  passing  from  one  quarter  to  another ; 
rights  on  tlio  harvests,  profits,  forced  laboi-,  collec- 
tions for  I  ho  benefit  of  the  lord,  exactions  of  all 
sorts.  .  .  .  We  can  only  have  our  grinding 
done  in  oar  lords'  mills  ;  we  can  only  bake  our 
broad  in  tho  common  oven  ;  we  cannot  even  marry 
wilhout  tin  consent  of  our  master,  who  disposes  of 
U3  as  h'3  disposes  of  his  hounds,  or  of  the  horses  in 
his  stables,  and  if,  by  dint  of  our  toil  and  savings, 
wc  leave  when  dying  a  few  crowns  or  some  furni- 
ture, tho  lord  again  can  claim  his  share.     Almost 

80 


77,7'  0I</  i'/.rs/. 


Si 


I    0  most 

t  have  Avo 
us  to  such 
(  earth,  Avc 
as  soldicx's, 
Avorkracn, 
3ur  labors. 
10  docs  tlio 
icrc;  thero 
i  burtkncd 
idiso,  land, 
,  and  even 
;tes,  on  the 
3  another; 
bor,  collec- 
tions of  all 
r  grinding 
y  bake  our 
3ven  marry 
disposes  of 
le  horses  in 
\(\  savings, 
ome  furni- 
c.     Almost 


all  these  b)rds  sock  to  force  from  tlicir  vassal-  all 
that  tlicv  can  pot  :  our  comidaints  are  ansv.-cred  by 
blows  or  1)V  j\vrs.  '•Ja(i[iics  Bniiluuuiue  luis  abroad 
back,  he  cau  boar  all  !"'  This  iiv.l'al  the  baron,; 
and  their  mon-at-arms  keep  fa\iiig.  .  •  .  Shall 
not  a  day  come  v.hen  Jaccjues  Boidiomuie  can  show- 
that  he,  too,  has  a  strong  hand  and  a  free  heart  ? 

II  )v,-ever,  we  know  how  to  light  :  our  vigorous 
arms  u^e  the  pike  and  the  axe,  as  they  do  the 
scythe  and  the  hoe;  M'C  have  blood  i;i  cur  vein:-.; 
it  boils  in  presence  of  the  enemy  ;  antl  it  is  wron,-;, 
grievously  Avrong,  that  the  knights,  covered  with 
their  shirts  of  mail,  mounted  on  their  l)arbed  steeds, 
treat  us  with  disdain,  we  Avho  advance  first  and 
without  armor  to  meet  the  enemy.  Foot  soldiers, 
say  thev.  Yes,  foot  soldiers  who  know  how  to 
fight  and  to  die  !  My  grandfather,  a  brave  srpiire, 
followed  his  master,  Jean  do  Noyelles,  to  the 
crusades;  my  father,  the  first  bowman  of  tlie 
country,  signalized  himself  at  the  battle  of  the 
Bridge  of  Bouvines,  where  he  f(»ught  beside  his  lord, 
llasse  de  Xoyelles,  grandson  of  Jean.  But  fortune 
turned  her  back  on  the  Flemings  that  day  ;  Phi- 
lippe, King  of  France,  gained  the  victory,  and  made 
a  prisoner  of  Count  Ferrand,  the  husband  of  the 
Lady  Jeanne  of  Flanders.  I  have  heard  it  related 
bv  those  Avho  were  present  that  the  peoide  of  Paris 
sang  a  mocking  song  around  the  chariot  in  v.hich 
Ferrand  was  'b^^n\^i : 

"  Quatres  forrants  tres-bicn  forres 
Trainent  Ferrand  bioii  er.ferri''."* 

Chained  he  was  for  twtdve  years.     King  Philippe 

»  "  Foiu'  stoods  well  shod 

Dras  Ferrand  well  chained  1" 


83 


Til.-  Old  Che  St. 


had  honor  and  gain,  and  wo  an  increase  of  misfor- 
tune. The  Lord  of  Noyelles  was  also  taken  prisoner, 
and  his  goods  conliscatcd  to  the  ])roflt  of  Gak'-s  do 
^lontigny  ;  but  the  King,  who  sought  to  taivc  ven- 
geance on  the  Flemings,  ordered  the  serfs  of  tlie 
l)arony  to  lie  sent  to  other  domains,  and  to  bo 
replaced  by  French  subjects.  Mv  fatlicr,  -with  liis 
children,  was  forced  to  quit  iL  country  of  his 
ancestors,  and  was  transferred  to  Picardy,  on  tlie 
b;;rony  of  Coucy,  and  here  it  is  that  wo  experience 
all  tlie  worst  evils  of  slavery  ;  here  it  is  that  I  was 
born,  and  for  forty  years  I  iiavo  suft'ered,  sweated, 
and  toiled  for  my  masters,  and  . nt  for  those  of  my 
blood  and  race.  I  took  to  AviiV  ,;  :-;erf  like  myself, 
and  everyday  I  see  her  woii.ring  isvv-;iy  her  blood  and 
lier  life  in  ungratoful  tii'l  My  eldest  daughter, 
married  bat  a  short  time,  wwi  so  brutally  struck  by 
my  lord's  master  of  the  h;»i/.,<l?  that  she  died  very 
soon  after  ;  my  son,  for  hav"  ti-  killed  a  rab))it-dog, 
passed  twelve  moniLi,  and  ..len  another  twelve 
months,  in  the  castle  prison,  ;tnd  was  only  released 
at  (ho  entreaty  of  my  loi-d's  wife,  who  took  pity  on 
uio  i>..or  people  of  her  domain. 

Bui,  'viud  as  slie  is,  she  cannot  do  mudi,  and  we 
!I'.eu  M'eighcd  down  with  tuxes  and  ])ayn.onts,  and 
subject  to  the  harsh  seignioral  justice.  Some 
amongst  ns,  becoming  desperate,  have  joined  those 
bands  which  are  called  Lcs  Padourmux.*  Perri- 
net,  son  of  my  neighbor  Landry,  has  taken  to  the 
road  with  them. 

About  Easter,  in  the  year  12ol,  an  old  man,  with 
a  hnig  beard  and  pale,  thin  face,  began  to  wander 


*  Shojiherd  boys. 


/'/'/;■  OiJ  Clusf. 


83 


>f  inisfor- 
priso.'ior, 
Gali-V-!  (Ic 
take  vi'ii- 
Is  of  the 
11(1  to  be 
Avith  Iiis 
•y  of  Iiis 
',  on  tlie 
xpcrionce 
iiat  I  was 
sweated, 
iSG  of  my 
0  myself, 
)lood  and 
laiigliter, 
jtruc'k  by 
:licd  very 
lj])it-dog, 
I"  twc'lvo 
'  released 
k  pity  on 

1,  and  wo 
3nts,  and 
Some 
icci  those 
"  Porri- 
?n  to  the 

lan,  with 
)  wander 


ronnil  the  enintry;  yonng  men,  lal)orer.s,  and 
especially  shepherds,  followed  him  eagerly,  anil, 
without  consulting  parents  or  masters,  followed 
tlie  footsteps  of  this  man,  whom  they  called  the 
Master  of  the  Shrphenl  J>o>/'i.  lie  ])reaehed  and 
said:  ''Heaven  grants  to  the  sim])licity  of  the 
shepherds  what  il;  refuses  to  the  jjride  of  the 
knights,  luimely,  to  deliver  the  Holy  Land,  and 
avenge  good  King  Louis  on  the  inlidels, "' 

When,  followed  by  his  band,  he  passed  through 
the  t;)wns  and  cities,  it  was  like  an  army  terrible  to 
all,  and  there  were  neither  baililis  nor  sherilLs  who 
dared  to  oppose  t'.ieni.  The  master  preached  ;  but 
he  preached  hatred  to  the  clergy  ;  and  the  i)riests 
were  sorrowful  at  seeing  the  people  exiioscd  to  so 
great  an  error,  and  the  complaints  of  the  bisho])s 
at  length  reached  the  ears  of  Queen  Blanche,  the 
mother  of  King  Loui-.  She  had  before  received 
and  well-treated  the  Master  of  the  Shepherds  ;  but, 
licaring  the  comiilaints  of  the  clergy,  she  answered 
simplv  :  "God  knows  I  had  hoped  that  these  men 
would  recover  the  Holy  Land;  but,  since  they  are 
impostors,  let  theni  Iv  exeomnnmicatod,  pursued, 
and  put  to  death."  All  these  knaves  were  excom- 
municated, the  master  had  his  head  cut  oif,  and 
tlie  main  body  of  the  shepherds,  terrified  t  the 
death  of  their  chief,  dispersed  without  r  tancc, 
and  were  slaughtered  here  and  there,  '  mad 
dogs,  by  the  knights  and  men-at-arms."''  Perrinet 
was  never  seen  again  ;  his  poor  mothei  led  of  a 
broken  heart.  So  it  was  sorrow  and  bitter  anguish 
everywhere. 

*  Soo  Matthieu  Paris  and  Ouillaumo  do  Nougi^. 


84 


The  01,1  Ch.st. 


As  for  mo,  now  I  am  old.     I  liuvo  lived  in  grout 
poverty  and  trilmliition,  distressed  at  my  own  misc- 
riivT  and  lliosc  of-othtTs  ;  I   have  ]iaid  my  dehc  i:i 
work  and  lighting,  lur,  wiien  I  was  young,  I  joined 
in  tlic  forty  days'  crusade  against  the  lioretics  of 
Languedoe,   oalleu   Lcs   Bons-IIommcs.'-'       I  saw 
tliore  groat  feats  of  arms,  and  groat  horrors  revolt- 
ing to  Iranian  nature.     My  hn-d  followed  the  for- 
tunes of  the   bravo  knight  Siuiou   do  Montfort  ; 
and,  at  the  battle  of  :>[nret,  I  saw  that  invincible 
man,  courageous  as  Judas  ^fachabeus,  of  whom  (he 
priosls  toll  us,  wcop  and  lament  at  sight  of  tlio 
corpse  of  his  enemy,  King  Peter  of  ARi;5on.    These 
kniglits,  tlieso  proud  barons,  have  therefore  a  heart 
of  flosli   like  our  own.     Alas  !  Avhy  docs  not  that 
heart  sometimes  speak  for  us  ?    .     .     .     Amongst 
the  great,  one  alone  loves  the  iioor  ;   that  is  tlio 
king.  King  Louis ;  but  he  is  away,  and  the  lords 
and  barons  hold  their  iron  hand  o  er  our  heads. 
Ah  !  Jacques  Bonhnmme,  man  of  so/vicp,  m:"in  of 
labor,  man  wlio  ])ears  heat  and  cold,  who,  then,  shall 
deliver  thee  ?    Lord  Jesus  Christ,  take  pity  on  thy 
poor  people  ! 


*  Probably  tlio  Albigenses. 


il  ill  groat 
ow!i  miix- 
iiy  (k'hc  i:i 
g,  I  joined 
iiorcties  of 
•'       I  saw 
Divs  rovoll:- 
(1  the  for- 
Jlontfort  ; 
invincible 
w]i()m  (he 
:ht  of  tho 
■n.    Tliose 
)ro  11  Iicart 
1  not  tluit 
Amongst 
liat  i.3  tho 
tho  lords 
mr  heads. 
\  m;"in  of 
then,  shall 
itv  on  thv 


X. 


TIIK     SOLWKU    OF    TliKCY rACQrES    HOXHOMMK — 

rOrUTKDNTU   rEN'TUU  V, 

Tins  ac'uount  was  written  hy  Sister  Gertrude,  :v 
religious  in  the  IIAtel  Dieu,  at  Amiens. 

As  far  back  in  the  past  us  my  meni;)i-v  can  reach, 
it  recalls  only  ruin  and  disaster.  .My  parents,  jioor 
serfs  of  the  most  powerful  Count  Enguerrand  do 
Coney,  bore  tho  heat  and  burden  >if  the  day  ;  they 
labored  and  toiled  all  the  year,  from  early  morning 
even  in  tho  coldest  weather,  to  pay  the  (axes  and 
tolls;  my  father  and  brothers  ploughed  and  did 
the  carting  for  their  lord  ;  jny  mother  and  I  sewed 
diligently,  and  still  bread  was  scarce,  fear  very 
great,  and  the  ojtpression  continual.  Sometimes 
my  father  told  ns  that  wlicn  his  father  lived,  nnder 
the  holy  King  Louis,  times  were  better  ;  that  his 
grandfather,  avIio  jiad  lived  in  Flanders  under  the 
reign  of  King  Philip  Augustus,  had  often  repeated 
that  in  those  tinus  and  those  places  life  was  most 
sweet;  but  as  for  me,  I  think  that  in  the  land  of 
Franco  the  i)oor  peasants  and  Avorking  jieople  havo 
always  been  in  great  distress,  for  happiness  does  not 
dwell  witli  slavery. 

I  Avas  only  a  lildo  girl  when  a  great  commotion 
arose  in  tho  country  in  wliich  we  dwelt.  It  was 
said  that  the  Kin,"'  of  (he  English  had  crossed  the 

So 


aaifiyd  ■BTtiagn.qaa 


t  tTiwaiMi  wm  MUM  !• 


.So 


y/;r  Old  Chest. 


«';i  Avith  11  great  naval  force,  with  the  ilowcr  of  tlio 
barons  and  kni-lits  of  Eiipl'iiid.  and  tliat  tlicyoamo 
to  lay  claim  lo  the  cnnvii  of  Fniucc,  tiicn  \voi:i  hy 
our  right  und  natural    Lord  Piiilip  the  Sixth,  and 
which  iho  King  of  England  claimed  bccan,«o  his 
inothcr  was  a  princess  of  the  French  line.      The 
j)()or  i)ooi)le  and  the  lordsaliko  delo.sted  the  thought 
that  an   Englishman  slioiild  como  to  occupy  tho 
place  of  good  King  Louis,  and  reign  over  this  fair 
and   huiiiitiful   laud   of    France,    the  first  among 
Christian  kingdoms.     I  rcmemher  that  in  the  eve- 
nings, while  stripping  the  liemp  and  spinning  llic 
llax,  our  good  neighlK.rs  talked  of  Uie   Knglitih  as 
being  like  Turks  and  infidels.    'L'iierefore,  when,  in 
tlic  your  of  Christ  1341,  all  the  lords  who  held  land 
.summoned   their  vassals  to  join  the  host  of  the 
King  of  France,  not  one  drew  back  !     My  father 
and  my  eldest  brother  Nicholas,  who  Avassuruamed 
Grand  Fcrri,  followed  the  b.inner  of  the  Lord  do 
Coney.    They  had  m  much  the  more  heart  in  their 
en terjn-isc  because  tliey  knew  well  that  the  Black 
Prince,  son  of  the  English  King,  Avas  burning  and 
desolating  everything  on  his  Avay.      iFen-at-arms 
and  citizens  asked  only  for  battle,  and  tho  King, 
who    hud    established   his  headipiarters  aL   Saint 
Denis,  wisiied  for  it   more   tiian   any  one.      Tho 
forces  of  King  Edward  were  in  Picardy,  and  tho 
King  had  taken  up  his  quarters  at  Oisemont.     Sad 
and  melancholy  as  I  have  heard  said,  because  ho 
rightly  judged  that  he  Avouid  be  .«hut  in  betwoea 
the  army  of  the  King  of  France  and   tJie  scrong 
fortresses   of    Abbeville   and    Saint    Valery,      He 
wished  mucli  to  pass  the  river  Somme,  and  he 
brought  thithcrsomc  men  belonging  to  li;c  country. 


)wer  (if  tli(> 

'11  WO)  :i  hy 
Sixlh,  and 
)co!ini=o  his 
inc.  Tlic 
!h>  thoii'Tlit 
icc'iipy  tho 
V  this  fair 
r.st  iiniong 
in  tiio  cve- 
iiiiiiii<^  llic 
l-tiiglisli  as 
',  wlien,  ill 
licld  liind 

08t    of    tllC 

My  fatlicr 
siiriiamcd 
3  Lord  dc 
rt  ill  their 
tho  Bhick 
riling  and 
?n-at-arms 
the  King, 
aL  Saint 
lie.  The 
',  and  tlic 
out.  Wad 
locauso  ho 
1  bct\vce:i 
lie  pcrong 
eiy.  He 
',  and  lie 
3  cuiinlrv, 


T//f  Old  Chest. 


87 


offeringthcmmoneyif  they  wouhl  show  iiim  how 
to  ford  It.     Then  one  of  tliein,  a  oowardlv,  troache- 
reus  licart  was  ho,  showed  him  a  pa.ssaw'eallod  tlio 
^Vhite   Ford,   from   tho  wliite   pobbk^s    and    chiy 
whicli  formed  tho  bottom  of  it.    The  Kinrr  of  ]-:ng. 
hind,  as  rejoiced  as   though   he  liad   been   given 
twenty  thousand  crowns,  immediately  reached  tlie 
\V  lute  Ford,  and  liis  army  crossed  tlio  river,  not- 
withstanding the  opposition  of  the  Lord  Codcmar 
do  Fay,  a  Norman  baron,  whoso  little  troop  was 
defeated  and  disjiersed.     Tho  English  established 
themselves  amongst  the  woods  of  Crocv,  in  Pon- 
thiou,  and  it  was  there  that  Philip's  \wk  came  up 
Mith  tlioni.     Alas  !  it  was  a  ].itiablo  sight,  we  are 
told,    to   sec   that   army   in    poor   arrav,   wearied, 
•  Jiarassed,    having  marched    through  a"  dreneliing 
min  and  a  terrible  thunder-storm,  and  advancing 
towards  tho  enemy  with  tho  setting  sun  in  their  eyes. 
The  Genoese  archers  began  the  battle ;  but  they 
were  assailed  by  Uie  darts  and  arrows  of  (he  Eii'^- 
hsh,  which  pierced    their  arms  and    heads ;   ami 
when  they  sought  to  beat  a  retreat   the  kni-jits 
trampled  them  under  their  horses'  feet,  cryrn- • 
"Xow,  (puck,  slay  this  rabble,  for  tliev  hindeV  our 
passage  without  reason!'    Another  blow;  and  it 
was  pitiable. 

My  father  and  the  r/rrouZ/'nT-Hollowcd  the  ban- 
ner of  their  lord,  and  tried  to  strike  some  blows 
with  tho  axe  and  cutlass;  they  did  their  best,  and 
sought  to  make  their  way  to  where  they  saw  the 
banner  of  the  Lilies  wave  (not  tho  sacred  ori- 
ilammo,  which  was  never  disidayed  a^r;ii„st  Chris- 
tians). Now,  our  lord  tho  King  was  in  great 
peril  of  his  life.     His  horse  had  just  been  stTiick 


■Tlic  OU  C/Hsf. 


(liiwii  liy  an  arrow  ;  Im  liiid  tliLiilnit  li\c  Imroiis  iiinl 
f-i.\ly  incn-nt-;;rnis  iirmind  liim,  iiiul  Iiis  nnguish  uf 
liciirt  was  p;roat ;  ho  inTsistcil  in  roniaiuing  ou  tho 
field.  "Sire,"  said  my  Lord  Etipucrraiid — "t^irc, 
como  away,  it  is  lime  ;  do  not  tlirow  your  lifo 
awii}' ;  if  you  liavo  lost  tliis  titno,  you  will  wiu 
another." 

All  was  indeed  lost ;  King  Edward  and  his  son 
wore  masters  of  ilio  Tror.iid.  ]\[y  father,  however, 
had  .seized  hy  the  hridle  a  riderless  steed ;  ho 
hrought  it  *  King  Philij)  i;nd  said  t(»  him  : 
"Mount,  sire,  save  the  fortunes  of  Franco  I" 
These  words  seemed  to  reanimate  the  King ;  he  got 
into  the  saddle,  loft  llio  hatthvlield,  covered  v.itli 
thousands  of  corpses,  and  wentforlli  into  the  dark- 
ness, for  it  was  nigiit,  >My  hrother,  the  (h'and 
Ferre,  served  him  as  guide,  and  hrought  him  to  the 
C.Witlo  of  La  Bra^e;  the  gale  was  closed  and  the 
druw-bridgo  I'uiscd.  They  called  for  the  master  of 
tlio  castle,  wlio  appeared  on  the  battlements,  and 
asked  in  a  loud  voice  : 

"  Who  is  there  ?    Who  knocks  at  this  hour  ?" 

''Open,  open,  Castellan  Knight,*'  answered  King 
Philip.      "  It  is  the  unhappy  King  of  Frarce." 

The  gates  were  opened  wide.  They  hrought  f'.ic 
King,  at  his  recjuest,  wine  with  bread  so;,  ked 
tlicrein.  The  King,  his  suite,  and  the  Grand 
Ferru  drunk  each  in  turn  ;  then  the  troop  set  out 
again,  and  my  brother  conducted  the  King  and 
the  barons  to  the  gates  of  Amiens,  where  they 
found  themselves  in  safety.  Tlio  King  wished  to 
pay  him,  and  pxwi^  him  an  angel. 

Such  Avas  tlie  liattle  of  Civcy,  the  beginning  of 
our  miseries.     Ahu;  I  on  that  spot  fell  the  flower  of 


77/1  tV./  (  hi- St. 


barons  iiiid 
(inguisli  of 
ing  oil  tho 
11(1 — "t<iri', 
VDur  lifo 
I  will  will 


1(1  liis  son 
',  however, 
steed  ;  ho 
[  to  liini  : 
Franco !" 
ip;  hcgoL 
vered  witli 
)  (he  (lark- 
lio  (hand 
iiini  to  the 
d  iiiid  I  he 
)  master  of 
iivMitji,  and 

l.our  r 
cred  King 
aiice." 
•on^lit  tlio 
1(1  soi,  ked 
ho  Grand 
ap  .«ct  ont 
King  and 
hero  (liey 
wished  to 

ginning  of 
c  flower  of 


tlic  Frciiuh  chivalry:  hy  which  we  must  hclieve 
tlii'l  Ood  h;l;^  h',mi(  Ihe-e  tilings  I'or  our  sins,  for 
tli'.'io  was  IhiMi  ill  Fi'aiico  great  pride  of  lineage, 
Oiivetou^ncsi  of  riches,  and  indeceney  of  eloliiing. 
Il  was  no  wonder  that  (iod  (bought  to  ]ii'Mi>li  tlio 
nil.-deeds  (if  the  Freneli  hy  the  hcourges  of  his 
right  han.l.  Thcneeforth  tlic  English  established 
themselves  in  France,  and  took,  hy  faniiiu\  the 
city  of  Calais.  Tlie  wliole  country  IreinliUd,  as 
far  as  the  river  Loire  ;  there  were  none  to  o]iporo 
tlie  enemy,  and  tlie  misfortunes  of  llu?  p(^ople  in* 
creased  from  day  to  day.  King  l'liili}»  died,  end 
his  sou  Jolm  increased  the  taxes  and  l)iirdens 
whicii  weighed  upon  tlu^  iioojile.  Eight  farthings 
on  the  iiound  were  paid  on  anytiiingsoldhy  all  jier- 
Bons  Avitiu.ut  distinction  ;  and  if  these  taxes  and 
exactions  weighed  upon  the  noble  and  the  lich, 
liov.'  much  more  should  the  poor  peasants  complain, 
who  furnished  to  the  lords  the  men  and  money  re- 
quisite for  the  v.ar  !  Twelve.!  years  passed  thus  in 
great  misery  and  distress.  The  country  v.as  ruined, 
King  John  talcen  prisoner  by  tlio  English  after  the 
Irvttle  of  Poitiers,  tlie  kingdom  given  up  to  ])rinces 
young  in  years  uiul  in  experience,  and  wise  and 
prudent  men  could  only  deplore  tiic  cross  with 
which  it  pleased  Goil  to  alllict  oureountry.  I)uring 
these  twelve  years  I  lost  my  good  mother.  Tday 
God  grant  her  rest  I 

I  was  then  twenty-three  years  of  age;  but  tho 
flower  of  youth  d.)es  not  bloom  for  poor  ])eo[ile, 
whose  lot  is  tho  hard  labor  of  tlio  lields  ;  and, 
besides,  it  had  jileascd  God  to  turn  towards  his 
Divine  ilajesly  my  heart  and  my  tlionghts.  Xow, 
one  day,  r.s  1  was  tendin::   niv  Hock    in    a    larfTO 


m 


(>■.)  T/ii  (Wi  i'/irst. 

i:ipiulii\v  (if  prceii  prass.  Wiitcrcil  liy  llu'  Aiitliio 
IlivtT,  I  8,i\v  iii)i)rn;icliiag  (Uir  voun;,'  lonl,  I'icTiv  do 
Coiioy.  IIo  iiilvunccd  with  ii  jjay  and  pliiyfiil  nir. 
IiiH  do!Ts  jiinipiiig  urouiul  lilin.  I  aroso  to  saluto 
him. 

•'Good  day  to  tlico,  Kliopherdc.-;","  said  ho. 
*'  I  lost  belong  to  the  barony  ?'' 

'•  Vc'S,  my  lord  ;  I  am  I'jorra  Duchai;3no'd 
i:.i'.i.;:lilor.' 

••  And  a  lovely  girl,  too  !"'  iinsv/crcd  ho,  jeering, 
aid  then  ho  added  a  great  many  moeking  words. 
IT V  heart  fiwolk'd.  and  it  grieved  nie  to  hear  (his 
l.Kigiiagt',  whieh  it  seemed  to  mo  was  displeasing  to 
God  ;  but  when  the  young  lord  Elretched  his  arm 
towards  me  I  IIlmI  across  the  meadow.  IL'  pursued 
i\\},  and  his  hounds  ran  barking  after  me.  .  .  . 
I  was  in  great  terror,  and,  rofommcnding  my-c!f 
to  God,  tiie  Blessed  Virgin,  and  the  holy  Shep- 
herdess Solange,  I  jumped  into  the  river,  and  re- 
solutely crossed  i(,  llie  water  being  up  to  my 
shoulders.  Oh  !  surely  the  most  sweet  Virgin 
assisted  me  in  that  hour. 

>ry  Lord  Pierre  Avatehed  mo  from  the  1)ank, 
angry  and  amazed,  and  his  great  hoiiiul,  Fanfare, 
loai)cd  into  the  water  aiul  swam  towards  me,  .  .  . 
1  hastened  as  much  as  I  eould.  I  heard  his 
howls  behind  me,  and  I  saw  that  my  good  dog,  Paei- 
flqno,  had  followed  me,  and  with  one  blow  had 
thrown  to  the  earth  my  lord's  dog.  I  did  not  ptop 
ti  look,  and,  running  quickly  tiirough  laius  and 
^yways,  I  reached  my  father's  house,  and  1  carefully 
sliut  the  door.  My  father  came  in  just,  at  dark, 
and  he  said  to  me  : 

*' Daugliter.  thou  canst  go  to  led." 


'^■.LL„l:i.: 


the  Aiitliif! 
I'll,  I'icTi'c  do 

pluyfiil  iiii". 
)so  to  Biiluto 

I,"    e;iiil   ho. 

DiicbiU3no'd 

1  ho,  jccriii;;, 
.'king  words, 
to  hour  (hi.s 
lisplo;iJi:i,q  to 
hcd  hi.<  ana 
lie  iMirsiictl 
1110.      .      .      . 

udiiif?  iiiy-c!f 
)  holy  S!iep- 
ivor,  and  ro- 
i;  U[)  to  my 
iwcct   Virgin 

n  tho  bank, 
md,  Fanfiiro, 
Is  mo.    .    .    . 

I  I,  I  a  I'd  his 
od  dog,  Paci- 
10   blow    had 

did  not  stoj) 
ih  huua  iind 
lid  1  carofully 
just  at  dark, 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-S) 


1.0 


I.I 


•^  mm  112  2 

la    1^ 

If    lig    ill  2.0 


1.8 


1.25 

1.4 

1.6 

^ 6"     

► 

,  ^i* 


Photographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


* 


#v 


V 


s 


,v 


\\ 


^9) 


.V 


0 


C> 


<;^ 


■%^ 


"<b^ 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


^0 


L<P 


wk 


f-KW 


fe 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  canadien  de  microreproductions  historiques 


i 


The  Old  Chi  St. 


9« 


I  \»illiiiply  oboycti,  i'>!r  I  v,;i:-!  weary  ;:iul  s;iil,  itiil 
I  had  slept  for  some  Lours  when  iho  toiiiid  <  f  voices 
awoke  me.  It  w;is  near  midnipjlit,  and  T  lieard  the 
matins  liiigiiip:  a(  the  Abl)ey  of  Dommartiu.  Tlicy 
were  ispeakiii.u' low,  and  amonpsl  the  confiistd  voiecs 
I  heai-d  tho.se  of  my  father  and  hrotlu'r,-:.  I'aeifKjr.e 
v.:is  howlin-- in  the  yard,  a.s  if  there  was  some  otie 
dead  in  the  house. 

reeliii;:;  uneasy,  I  aro^e.  I  went  down-stairs,  and 
lo(dved  in.  A  lartre  lire  wa.i  burning  on  the  cottage 
liearth,  and  the  red  llames,  like  tlie  lire  of  hell,  lit 
np  a  nnmcrous  eomiKiny  seated  at  the  fable  where 
Ave  took  our  meals.  My  father  and  lirothers,  Xieho- 
las,  Jchannel,  aiul  IJichard,  were  at  the  upper  end  , 
a  nnmher  of  our  neighbors  were  there  ;  there  w(  lo 
Tristan,  Cunir-Joyeux,  Landry,  Larehcr,  Vicrron, 
Longue-Jambe,  and  others  besides  ;  but  amongst 
them  was  a  frightful  ligure,  a  man  eovired  with  a 
wolf-skin,  and  whose  hairy  hand  res.ing  on  the 
table  v,as  handling  a  eullass.  ...  At  tliis 
.«!ight  I  crossed  myself,  and  recommended  myself  to 
Saint  ^liehael,  the  enemy  of  devils,  and  the  prince 
cf  the  heavenly  hosts,  and,  reassured  by  tlie  thought 
that  nothing  could  happen  lo  me  without  ihe  per- 
mission of  God,  I  watched  and  listened.  My  father 
was  speaking. 

"  Is  it  agreed  'i'"  said  he.  "  .\re  v,-e  all  of  the  same 
ojjinion  't" 

"All  !"'  answered  the  were- wolf.  "  We  have  suf- 
fered too  much.  Are  we  not  of  the  same  ile^h  as 
tlic-^e  proud  lord.-;,  and  should  we  fear  a  coat  of  mail  't 
Resides,  the  men  of  all  the  Amiencse  viUages,  of 
Soissouais  and  lieauvaises,  are  determined,  and.  by 
the  cope  of  Saint  Martin,  there  shall  he  fine  spori.'' 


')- 


'///,■  (V,t  i  V/rs: 


'■  J:ic(Hios  Boiilioinnio  has  .siilVrrcd  (no  miU'Ii  iiu- 
paLieiieo  ! "  eric'd  Tri.stau.  "Thi'  hour  irf  cnmc  lo 
s!iow  liis  teeth  I" 

'•  Our  lords-,  who  lot  tlicnisclvcs  bo  taken  at 
Poitiers,  luivo  levied  their  ransoms  on  our  lands, 
and  I'ft  lis  naked,"  said  another. 

•'  Ciinipanie's  of  inaranders  Jiave  Imrncd  myfarni. 
'i'liey  killed  my  wife,  whilst  my  lord,  who  saw  the 
l.avoe  from  liis  e:ist!e,  would  not  send  a  bolt  against 
ihi'<e  miserable  robbers." 

••The  lords  did  not  do  tlieir  duty  at  Chvey,  nor 
at  Poitiers,"  said  the  CI  rand  Ferro  pravely.  '•Tiiey 
acted  without  union,  or  ol)edienee,  or  wisdom,  and 
t!u\v  have  left  the  kingdom  to  the  mercy  of  strung- 
ers. 

"  Lot  lis  hunt  llic  lords  !  The  Grand-Provost  of 
Pans,  blaster  Etienne  Marcel,  is  already  making 
war  on  tliem." 

"Take  heart,  and  we  shall  bo  masters  in  otir 
turn."  cried  Longue-.)aml)e.  "Lords  and  ladies 
slniU  work  for  ns ;  it  will  be  a  great  sight  to  see 
tliem  out  milking  the  cows  and  turning  up  the 
d'jnghill  with  their  wiiitc  hands.     .     .     ."' 

•*  A  trueo  to  this  ! "  said  my  father.  "  Let  ns 
deliver  ourselves  from  servitude  without  oppressing 
others.  To-morrow  at  the  free  fair,  will  von  all  bo 
t;.ere?" 

••  All,  l)y  the  Holy  Cross  1"  cried  they,  t'.ie  were- 
wolf like  the  others. 

"  The  pass-word  ?'' 

"Freedom!" 

"  Till  to-morrow  ! "' 

They  all  went  out,  ra,- father  and  brothers  with 
them,  and  I  remained  lutli'-fainting  with  terror.     I 


f 


'ihf   (W/  Cf/tSf. 


o^ 


iii'h  im- 

•iiillC    10 

ikon  ;it 
r  la  lids, 

ly  farm. 
•;a\v  I'lc 
afrainst 

•cv,  nnr 

■•Thoy 

>m,  ami 

stning- 

)vost  of 
making 

in  onv 
[  ladio.s 
;  to  SCO 
up  the 

'  Let  ns 
)rcssiiig 
n  all  bo 

0  were- 


,r"^ 


rs  with 
ror.     I 


know  not  wlinl  to  dit,  alone  and  uiilioul  advice.  I 
dai'rd  not  diseioso  it  to  any  one,  tliroii^rli  IVai'  if 
injuring  my  fatlior  and  brothers,  and  I  felt  hciirt- 
brokoii,  thinking  fhat  French  bl(j(id,  Chri.s(i;:;i 
l)lood,  was  about  to  llow  iigaiii.  I  Iiegan  to  pray  (o 
God,  and  next  morning  and  a  jjart  of  (lie  day  fol- 
lowing jirLsscd  without  my  hearing  human  ppeeeli. 
Toward?!  evening  a  ueigiibor  came  in,  and  taid  lo 
me : 

'•  Knowe.^t,  thou  tlie  new.-\  r'atlierine  r "" 
'"No,  Susan  ne  ;  I  know   noiliing,"  answered  I, 
trembling. 

"Well,  there  has  been  great  trouble  at  the  free 
fair  ;  the  peasants  took  np  bows  and  clubs  agaiiitU, 
tlie  lords  and  their  scpiires,  and  we  are  assured — I 
•iell  thee  in  confidence— that  they  have  burned  the 
oastlc  and  killed  the  lord." 

"  But  Avho  did  it  ?"  asked  I,  in  terror, 
"  Who  ?  Our  men  !  thy  fatlier  at  the  head,  and 
the  Grand  Fern',  and  lliehard,  and  Jehannet,  and 
Warein,  who  became  a  wolf  because  tl  e  Loj-d  de 
Treville  outraged  and  killed  his  daughter,  and 
many  others  ;  without  armor,  with  t^ticks  and  cut- 
lasses, they  have  done  wonders.  IJcmeniber  what  I 
teil  thee,  Catcau,  all  the  gentlemen  will  be  exter- 
minated." 

'•God  forbid!"  cried  I;  "tliev  arc  childn  n  (.f 
God  like  us." 

"Thou  shalt  see!  tliou  shalt  see!  and  it  will 
be  well  done.  Jaeipics  lionJiomme  shows  himselJ' 
at  lail." 

She  went  away,  and  I  could  cry  at  niv  ea.e, 
thinking  of  the  danger  in  which  my  father  and 
brothers  were,  and  of  (he  gieat  rage  which  had  b((  ij 


•n 


94 


The  OLI  Chest. 


oiikiiiillcd  ii,2:aiiisl  Cliristians.  In  a  few  tliiy.s  tlie 
rovoll  had  spread  thmugli  tlio  whole  comitrv;  ii 
liuudred  tliousand  peasants  had  tidveii  up  aniu  ; 
oastlcs,  fortresses,  households,  were  given  up  to  the 
llanijs  ;  the  nohles  iled  twcniy  leagues  ut  the  ap- 
l)roaeli  of  the  '•Jaequcs"' ;  nuitrons  and  maidens 
fled  from  fear  of  being  ill-treated  and  murdered  by 
M'ieked  men  ;  even  little  ehildren,  who  had  never 
done  harm,  were  slain.  These  hands  went  through 
t'.u'  country,  ravaging  and  spreading  ruin  and  desola- 
tion all  along  their  way.  I  learned,  however,  that  my 
father,  who  was  a  just  man,  contented  himself  willi 
lighting  for  his  freedom  ;  tiic  (Jrand  Ferre,  in  the 
encounters  with  the  knights  and  townsmen  of  J5eau- 
vais,  did  woiulers ;  Ids  ;ixe  hewed  down  men,  as  it 
liad  formerly  hewed  down  the  forest  trees,  and  in 
one  of  these  engagements  lie  saved  a  poor,  unhap- 
])y  lady,  who  with  her  little  children  was  lleeii.g 
from  her  burning  castle. 

Our  poor  Jehannet  perished  at  the  attack  on. the 
town  of  Meaux,  made  by  the  Jacques,  reinforced  l)y 
a  snniU  force  sent  from  Paris  to  their  aid  by  Master 
Marcel.  The  distress  was  great.  This  attack  was 
repulsed,  and  the  defeated  peasants  were  either 
massacred  by  the  sword  or  throv*-n  into  the  Marno. 
This  was  a  fatal  blow  to  the  Jacques  i)arty,  and  my 
father  and  brothers,  seeing  that  nothing  could  be 
done  in  the  vicinity  of  Paris,  returned  to  Piear- 
dy. 

The  De  Coney  domain  was  ravaged  as  though  an 
army  of  inlidels  had  passed  througli  it;  and,  one 
night  as  I  waiched,  I  saw  the  flames  arise  from  the 
high  towers  of  the  ancient  manor.  At  the  same 
moment,  a  knock  came  at  the  door  ;  [  opened   it  : 


r 


j 


iiys  tlio 
itrv;  ii 
I  arm.'  ; 
[)  to  the 
till'  ap- 
naidon.s 
I'lvd  ]>y 
I  iiovor 
li  rough 
1  (losula- 
Lliiit  my 
['If  uilii 
,  in  the 
f  J'.oau- 
T.,  iis  it 
,  and  ill 
nnlinp- 
ik'oi;:g 

:  on.tlio 
ircod  by 

Master 

ick  \vas 

either 

Mar  no. 
and  my 
ould  bo 
»  Picar- 

)X\^]i  an 
nd,  one 
om  the 
le  same 
ncd  it  : 


'4 


f 

I, 

j 


yv/f  o.'ii  c/usf. 


95 


it  v.',;s  tlu'  Craud  I\  rn'  :  he  was  lialc,  a  ,d  hlond 
■Was  il.)\vin;;f;'nni  !i  fjrcat  Avnund  in  iiisjicad. 
"  Alas  !"' said  I.  "what  has  lal'allcn  tlue  ?  " 
'*  Sifter,"  .«::id  ]•(■  ••f;i\{'mc  lliyaiin  :  .  .  . 
the  blood  is  hlindii;^  me.''  .  .  .  I  led  i.im  lo 
the  lircsiile,  lie  sat  down,  and  ncovered  his 
breatli. 

'"1  am  done  for."  said  lie  at  ](iii;|]i;  '-lail. 
thanks  to  llcavc  n,  it  was  against  ihe  English.  AVe 
uere  (niniiclied  in  a  liitle  fort,  mar  the  Ab- 
bey of  Saint  Coriuine,  Avhcn  the  Engli.-h  at- 
tacked us,  but  with  my  good  a\e  1  iiave  ]int  them 
])ast  doing  any  liarin.  .  .  .  i  Killed  fortv, 
sifter."* 

Whilst  speaking,  he  reeovcrt'd  a  little  strength  ; 
buL  a  moment  aflir  thejiallorof  his  faee  and  the 
(i]ipres.-ion  of  ids  poor  chest  showed  \\\v.i  the  ];;',r.d 
of  God  -was  upon  Jiini.  lie  eo\ild  not  sp.eak,  but 
he  prayed  in  a  whisper  ;  for  he  had  great  devotion 
to  the  Blessed  Virgin  and  the  Saints,  and  he  fell 
a-lccp.  Confused  noises  eame  from  afar  ;  mv  lieart 
was  as  if  hehl  in  uAiee  ;  1  felt  death  iirunml  me. 
.  .  .  Tlic  noise  came  nearer  ;  hurried  steps  were 
heard  in  tlie  path  on  the  dry  leaves,  and  a  quick 
knock  at  the  door.  .  .  .  1  again  o])ened  it.  ami 
a  man  rushed  into  the  house. 

'■ir  you  an;  Christians,"'  cried  he,  "give  i:;e 
shelter  I  I  recognized  h;i!i,  and  I  jinshed  him  into 
the  stable,  and  clostd  tlie  door  on  him  ;  it  Vias  mv 
Lord  Pierre  de  Couey.  Xi^diolas  woke  up,  but,  scc- 
imr  no  one,  he  thought  he  liad  been  dreaming,  a.ml 
fell  asleep  again.     I  imide  the  sii'n  of  the  erois,  and 

*  "  T'!ft( 're  Chror/r;;-.!' "  i".o'!*:-.i!!.;is. 


KnriWitfWTBiiaa^ 


fiT. 


T!h  (1/,/  i'li.sf. 


w.'iil  into  tlio  slalili';  tlio  ]ir()ii(l  lonl  wiis  ilicic, 
Icimiiig  iipaiiist  tlio  cow  rack  ;  l.c  Wi;a  pule,  ir.i.l 
scarcely  ;ili!c  to  shiiid  ;  his  velvet  clothes  .-•oilcil. 
iiniildy,  iiiul  liloi)(l-staiiK'(l. 

"  Tliou  hast  .«avo(l  uic,"  sai.Iiu' ;  "  the  Jactiucs 
Avcro  on  my  track  ;  ...  J  .■^hould  have  lieeii 
cniclly  put  to  driith  hut  for  thy  iioMe  cliarity  ;  hut 
there  they  lire  ;  .  .  .  t  liey  are  kiiockiiii;-  at  Iho 
<loor.  ...  If  ihev  come,  I  can  die  like  a 
kiii-ht  :" 

••  iJecommeiul  yourself  to  (iod  aud  do  not  fear," 
said  I  to  him,  "  t!iy  hlood  .siiali  not  he  .siied  on  the 
tiireshohl  of  our  door." 

I  went  out  I  it  was  indeed  the  Jacques,  armed 
to  the  teeth.     Cod  i:;ave  me  great  eoura;^e. 

"  Whv,"  .said  1  to  them— **whv  do  ve  disturh 
the  rest  of  the  Grand  Fern',  who  has  homo 
liini.'clf  so  valiantly  amontr-st  ve.     Ilj  is  slcei'inj?  I 

Tliey  paw  my  hrother  dying  at  the  fireside,  and 
retired  in  .silence.  Only  one  of  them  oirerod  to  go 
and  hring  a  monk  from  Dommartin.  I  accepted 
tlic  offer.  .  .  .  Xicliolas  Avas  lighting  against 
di'ath,  and  jirostvato  on  the  floor  I  prayed  (Iod  to 
K;)are  him  for  some  hours.  At  dawn,  tlie  monk 
came  and  reconcili'd  my  poor  hrother  v>ith  his  God. 
I  saw  him  die.  ...  O  Ood  I  how  full  i.s  our 
life  of  bitternes.s. 

I  left  in  the  nionk',s  care  my  Lord  Pierre,  who 
■wa.s  still  concealed  in  the  .<tahle.  They  de])arted, 
and  I  renuiined  alone  for  the  burial  of  my  poor 
brother.  From  all  sides  came  bad  tidings  ;  the 
Jacques  were  defeated  and  hunted  like  Avolves. 
The  King  of  Z^avarre.  aided  hv  the  fount  do  Saint 


1 


"T 


1 


Tlie  OU  Cha^t. 


97 


lllCIC, 

soilod. 

I- ;  lait, 
ill  l!io 
like  ii 

fear." 
oil  tlie 

arnieil 

listiirl) 
bonio 

'i.iiig : 

0,  iiiul 
lo  go 
ccptcil 
gainst, 
lod  to 
monk 
.sGo<l. 
i-s  uur 

?,  Avlio 
lartoil, 
y  poor 
i  ;  tlio 
.•olvcs. 
Saint 


'T 


Pol,    liati,    il.  was  .-aid.    Killed    (lircn   tliousand  of 
thorn  :  and  Iwastol.llliat  my  J"alli<r  liadlK'on  taken, 
and  was  to  Iic  liiiiig  in  tlu'  fown  of  .Montdidicr.  to 
servo  as  a  Marning  and  an  oxani])U'.      At  this  nowa 
I  liad  Imt  one  thought— (o  savo  my  fatlior  from  the 
executioner's  liands,  and  to  go  and  ask  Ids  iiardoi-, 
were  I  to  wear  my  logs  od'.      I   left  my  brother's 
body  in  eliargo  of  n  neighlior,  and  I  hastened  to  the 
A])liey  of  Dommarliii,  whilher  I   knew   that  mv 
Lord  i\('  Coiuy  and  the  ladies  of  his  house  had  re- 
tired.    In  my  hoart  J  had  no  terror  ;  my  great  sor- 
row took    away  all   fear  and    aitjireheusion  ;    aiil 
■when  I  arrived   I  boldly  demanded  to  b'>  lod  to  the 
presoiiee  of  the  lonls  and  ladies.     I  w;i ;  lod  to  llie 
giiest-cluimbors,  and  I  found  my  Lord  Enguorraiid 
do  Coney  and  my  Lord  Pierre  fully  armed,  and  the 
■  vtiung  ladies  sad  and  sorrowful.     I  went  in  fear- 
lessly;  I  went  towards  iny  Lord  I'icrro  ;  I  throw 
myself  on  my  knees  before  him,  saying  : 

'•Thoii  didst  ]ironii-'e  to  grant  me  a  giaee  ;  T 
come  to  claim  it  now.  .  .  .  T'ardon.  iian'lon 
for  my  father  I" 

"Wliat !"  cried  ho,  "it  is  my  good  hostess— she 
who  saved  me  from  the  Jacques,  and  (ho  looked  at 
mo  closely)  it  is  the  l)eautifulshc|dierdcss." 

"Yes,"'  saiil  1,  '•  I  am  that  unliajipy  croatnro  I 
Pardon,  my  lord,  pardon  for  my  fatlior,  who  i.s 
going  to  be  hutig  I'' 

"And  Avho  is  your  father,  my  child  r"  asked  mv 
Lord  Lnguerrand. 

"One  of  your  vassals,  my  l,.nl,  Jiicques  Dti- 
chaisnc,  the  (i  rand  Foriv's  father.     .     .     ," 

'Sly  lord  turned  sorrowfully  away;  Iho  vouiig 
ladies  looked  at  mo  with  tears  in  their  eves  ;  imd  as 


mm^.m.  Li  n! 


«.S 


//.r  (K,/  I  Vi.s/. 


I 


.  '  1 


I  |H'r.-i^i(il  i.i  ilr.;p;^iii;;  iii_\.«(ir  uluiij,' nii  i.iy  I.iu'CN, 
my  Jjoid  lliigiu'rniiitl  huid  in  !i  Itmo  of  /,'rit'f : 

'•  I  wii^li  it  ucro  in  my  jiowcr  Id  ivstoro  you  your 
futlier  ;  hut,  my  jtoorfrjrl,  tlio  cva'culiuiuM'  lias  dono 
lii.)  v.'ork  ;  jiiiil  (liis  mdiiiiiifc  ymu' i'allur  Iiti:'.  [layctl 
llio  tk'lit  Mliic'h  wo  all  must  one  day  jiay,  .  .  . 
If  I  had  hiKiwii  that  you  had  raved  my  iou,  I  wciuld 
have  a.skc'd  life  I'nr  lit'r.     .     .     .  " 

IIu  8pok(' ;  l)Ul  I  licard  r.')  i.K'i'".  .  .  .  Ivais 
tdmost  dead  M'ith  Korniw  ;  .  .  .  i he  yuunj]' ladies 
sDoke  to  mcpfentlv;  Ihev  made  i:ie  lie  down  in  ;i 
lieautit'ul  l;ed,  Iiuni,' witii  curlains  ;  l)Ul  for  many 
•lays  and  mauy  iiiyhls  I  had  ii  mali^'nar.t  i'ever, 
durinj^  whieli  I. saw  around  my  pillow  cither  f'ihhcts, 
to  which  vv(;ro  liun;,'ohl  luru  in  agony,  or  the  pale 
face  of  my  hvulher,  dyinj^  liy  tho  hearth  of  our 
lionio,  or  tho  wcre-wulf  cxtendinj:;  his  hairy  hands  to 
seize  me,  or  my  Lord  Tierre  Htandin.i;  in  tiio  stahle, 
tmd  myj-elf  huried  i:i  the  v.atcrs  of  the  Aulhie,  and 
Ktruggiin.'?  without  power  to  save  nivhcif.     .     .     . 

When  I  was  hetter,  my  Lord  Enguerrand  and 
the  Lady  do  C'oiu'y  Kent  for  mo  to  couic  to  them  ; 
they  spoke  kindly,  and  my  lord  ^aid  to  me  : 

*•  Ciitherine,  I  owe  );iy  kou's  life  to  ihee  ;  thou 
art  good  and  virtuous  ;  I  wish  to  make  Ihee  forget 
thy  mi.<fortunes  !  I  will  free  tlue,  and  give  thee 
in  marriage  to  r.iy  lv-i[uire  Tou.«saiiit  I'.e  C'harny  ; 
thou  Khait  hri;ig  hini  for  thy  iiorlion  tho 
lands  whieli  l!iy  fillier  rcitcd.  Art,  thou  eon- 
tout?" 

'•.My  ]i>:\],''  t;:i;wered  I,  "I  Idcss  (uui  for  tho 
kindaes.-;  Avhieh  ho  has  ])ut  into  thy  heart  ;  hr.t  I 
havo  but  one  favor  to  ask  from  thy  gooduci.-;  :  Let 
mo  enter  religion,  that  I  may  bo  the  servant  and 


i.iy  I,  lues, 
rid": 

I  you  your 
r  has  (lono 
luiii  [iiiyi'd 

u,  I  Would 

.     I  \wis 

uu;'  ladius 

lown  iu  u 

I'tii"  luauy 

[lilt  IVvcr, 

■  tho  [lalo 
Lh  of  our 
y  luuuls  {() 
ho  slablc, 
ulhic,  aud 

■rand  and 
to  Iheni ; 
t'  : 

liOL'  ;  Ihuu 
hi'c  Torget 
<:\\e  Ihcc 
(  Iiarny  ; 
rlidu  t'lo 
thou  con- 
id  for  tho 
irt  :  hut  I 
nctrf  :  Lot 
I'vant  and 


t 


y/v  (>'/ (V.Ys.'. 


'V 


i-'lH)rsi>  (f  i.ur  S.aiour  .FisuH  Chri.l.     Thai  i.-i  all   I 
visli  for  iu  tho  wurlih' 

'•■  Thy  dc-iro  t^hall  lie  ii(coiii]ili,h(  d."  .siid  iho 
I,:'.dy  do  Couoy  ;  "and  Ihou.  Calliorino.  w  ill  ]irav 
frr  i':>." 

"'i'ho  goods -wldoli  (hou  ihi.-t  n'fuso,  C'alhorino." 
iiddod  my  lord,  "I  wUl  giNc  lo  Ihy  hi'olhor  iJich- 
ard.  I  found  h'nu  in  ])riMin,  nod  1  lia\r  hoconio 
liis  f-oourilv.  I''roni  tliis  ihiv  I'orlh  lio  is  cnfirolv 
froo." 

I  k!.<s((l  my  lord's  liaud,  i;s  liajijjy  ::s  I  (ould 
licncoi'orlli  1,0.  I  cuUicd  (ho  ll(/til  Dicu  at 
Anuons,  tho  roligious  (f  which  wiro  in  prcal  ii - 
nownfor  jiicfy  and  \irtuc;  fir  (iuring  tho  lUack 
Phiguo  they  liad  tcm'.cd  iho  .-ick  witli  gcntlcncts 
ami  Iiuiniliiy,  ^'^■po^ing  their  livt's  without  tliinking 
of  worldly  glory,  ami  J,  thou^di  unworthy,  was  rc- 
coived  ui!U)ngst  tlu  ni.  I  made  my  |irofo?>iou  umlor 
tho  name  of  Si!»tcr  (icrlrudo.  ^ly  hrother  Kichard 
i.!  now  11  liurghcr  cf  (his  ninio  (own  (i  Amiou;, 
There  ii.'li'l  r':ivat  mi  cry  in  the  land  of  France  : 
the  i!ngli>:!i  are  tlie  rnh  rs  ;  rich  and  poor,  noldcs 
and  serfs,  arc  oppre.-sed,  and  wo  expect  from  (iod 
idon.o  delivoranco  fn  m  fo  many  evils. 

Our  old  sisters  ccmeliincs  repeat  iho  projdiccy 
of  ^Mirlin,  -who  foretold  (hat  ii  virgin,  from  tho 
nuir.  hcs  cf  Chiunpagr.e,  v.onld  tavo  rrance.  () 
Queen  (f  Virgin.;!  jiray  that  i'u  may  be  fo,  and 
deliver  (Iii.i  jjoor  j  eojilo  x.ho  ]io])e  in  (h.oe. 

Writti'U  in  the  ninth  year  of  (ho  reign  of  (  harles 
v.,  whom  r.ir.y  Clod  grard. 


XI. 


TIfi;   ('ITIZKV — I- 1  IT  K I ;  N'T  I  r   (  rVTIUY. 

My  graiulfiilluT,  Uiclnu-il  Diiclmi.-no,  Iti'iiifjj  linn- 
oriil)ly  onilowt'il  wiili  llu>  jjonds  of  tliis  ciirtli,  had 
no  (lilliciillv  in  ul)t;uiiiii''  I'miu  llic  'mkhI  citv  of 
Amic'ii.s  tlio  iij;Iit  of  citizcnsliiii  ;  iiml,  iis  ho  hud 
loariU'(l  ill  youlh  tlio  trade  ot"  Idacksiiiilh,  lio  do- 
sircd  lo  istaljliiili  hiiiitt'If  and  to  found  a  house. 
Thorcforo  he  sold  to  tlio  Lord  Toussaiul  do  Chaniy 
tlio  goods  witli  uliit'h  my  Lord  dc  Coufy  had  vi\- 
dowod  him,  and  witli  tho  iiroroods  ho  filloil  up  a 
line  hlack-niith's  slioj),  boing  lirst,  howovor,  adiuit- 
ted  into  tlio  lionorablo  corporation  of  workers  in 
iron,  after  liaxing  nuulo,  as  jiroof-i  of  his  skill  in 
tho  crafl,  a  i)loug!isliaro,  a  ehiinney-i)ioee  hearing 
tho  arms  of  the  good  city,  and  some  lire-arms.  He 
was  received  ;  and,  a  sliort  time  after,  lie  look  to 
wife  A;':i'.'.-'  D.ima/.c,  the  danglit<>rof  the  Syndic  of 
tho  corporation,  who  was  the  mother  of  my  most 
Inmnrod  father.  They  lived  long  years  in  i)caeL', 
and  arc  now  lying  together  in  the  Chureli  of  S.iint 
Ki'niy  under  tho  Idiio  ilag,  near  the  haptismal 
font.-'. 

Often,  in  tlie  winter  evenings.  I  curiously  en- 
quired of  my  grandfatiier,  Master  Damaze,  as  to  the 
origin  of  this  corporation  of  Amiens,  so  noted  for 

its  privileges,  and  for  the  great  freedom  granted  (o 

too 


1 


V. 

'iiif]f  linn- 
arlli,  liaii 
il  cily  of 
3  1)0  hud 
),  he  (Ic- 
a  liDiisi'. 
0  Clianiy 
had  (11- 
fcd  uj)  a 
r,  adniit- 
yi'kcr.i  in 
i  sUill  i.i 
3  hcarhiLf 
ins.  IIo 
'  t()ol<  to 
iyiidic  of 
my  most 
In  peace, 
of  S.u'nt 
iai)tisniai 

nisly  en- 

a,s  to  the 
noted  for 
ranted  (o 


77u'  ( '/</  iV/iSf. 


loi 


it  liy  il-i  lords  ;  and  (his  is  what  he  (old  nie.  havinj,' 
leaiiu'd  it  hiinselt  from  his  rathers,  and  liy  tlic  ri'ad- 
ing  of  honio  ehivrterc,  which,  from  his  oflice  of  Syn- 
dic and  .Ma,i,ds(rate  of  (he  town,  he  liad  fif(|iifflitly 
had  in  his  hands. 

It  was  in  (he  year  of  tlie  Inearnat'on  lli;J  ;  tlio 
ancient  and  celehrated  eity  of  Amiens  had  then  lor 
its  liisiiop  and  lord  (icidTrey,  a  man  of  hi};li  liiieape, 
and  full  of  /oal  for  ivli;,d(»n  and  virtue,  lie  dearly 
loved  (lie  people,  and  he  vvislied  every  one  to  have 
freedom,  :ind  protection  for  hisju'rsonand  i)roj)erty. 
ile  readily  yiilded  U>  (he  reiiucsl  of  the  l)iir;,diers, 
ami  ^'ranted  llieni  a  municipal  ;,^)Vcrnment  and  lawn 
full  (d"  wisdom  and  justice.  But  the  good  hishop 
was  not  the  only  lord  of  (he  cily.  Three  powerful 
liiy  lords  shared  with  him  the  sovereignty,  and 
those  latter  were  neither  as  mild  nor  as  (lenient  as 
was  th?  miui  of  (Jod.  One  of  thcni,  Count  Cnguer- 
rand  de  Hovcs,  sent  a;i;ainst  the  (own  his  wlndo 
force  of  knights  and  archers  ;  he  sought  to  hecomo 
its  sole  master,  and,  in  this  impicnis  war,  the  good 
Bisiiop  GeolTrey's  goods  were  not  spared.  The 
irnel  iMiguerrand  and  his  son,  Thomas  de  Marie, 
dishonored  their  I'ailli  and  their  knightly  fame  in 
oppressing  the  weak,  killing  the  defenceless,  and 
carrying  lire  even  to  tlie  monasteries  and  the  hcdy 
churches.  Great  distress  was  in  all  tlie  country, 
and  the  good  bishoj),  seeing  the  nusery  of  his  jjco- 
plo,  distrusted  himself.  He  sent  his  pastoral  staff 
and  ring  to  the  Bishop  of  Rheims,  and  Mishcd  to 
retire  to  the  Cliartreux  ia  the  diocese- of  Grenoble. 
The  then  reigning  king,  Louis  the  Fat,  urged  by 
the  entreaties  of  tiie  clergy,  who  brongld  under  his 
notice  the  grievances  of  the  |ieoj)le,  took  up  arms 


]     ; 


I  ! 


lOJ 


TIic  U'ui  Ciust. 


ii-r;iiiiit  'Uhomas  dc  31;irlo,  and  chasLiscd  i!ic  :iu- 
diicily  of  Iho  fierco  l)an)n.  Tho  Lord  Kiag  cuicred 
Amiuns  at  the  licad  of  Ids  army,  and  l)y  \\\i  pre- 
sence revived  ilio  hopes  of  the  citizeiii;.  By  liis 
side,  Bishop  Gooftrey,  wliose  lioart  Vv-as  witli  his 
flock,  knelt  in  prayer  at  the  tond)  of  Si..  Aclicul, 
whilst  the  citi/,ens  with  the  royal  troops  went  to 
attack  Chatiilon,  a  little  fort  overlooking  tho  to'.vn, 
jind  commanded  by  one  of  tlio  four  allied  lords, 
named  Adam.  Evcii  the  women  bore  tliomselves 
with  great  courage  in  the  attack  oa  the  fortress. 
TIio  king  received  an  arrow  in  h-slKuibork,  :!nd  the 
fort  was  only  taken  after  a  Ijlockade  of  two  years. 
Therefore,  to  found  this  corporation,  to  give  liberty 
to  our  fathers,  and  to  oppose  successfully  those  ter- 
rildo  lords,  Avho  were  alike  enemies  of  the  sovereign 
and  of  the  peojde,  it  required  the  concurrence  of  a 
ludy  bishop,  phiced  by  our  Mother  the  Universal 
Church  in  the  ranks  of  tho  blessed,  of  w  just  and 
c;varageous  king,  and  of  the  citizens  of  this,  great 
city.  The  liberty  which  we  enjoy  has  been  pur- 
cliased  with  much  bloodshed,  and  with  many  liard- 
s'lijis ;  we  should  respect  it,  then,  as  tlie  .richest 
inheritance  which  our  fathers  could  have  left  to 
their  children,  and  eternally  praise  tlie  great  God, 
wliose  mercy  has  drawn  u.s,  as  the  ohihhen  of  Is- 
rael, out  of  the  house  of  bondage,  and  from  under 
the  yoke  of  capt  vity. 

Slill,  our  fathers  and  ourselves  have  ahso  knijwn 
evil  days.  Wiio  can  tell  what  hard.-hins  the  pre- 
sonco  of  the  English  has  imposed  npon  us  ?  0 
unexampled  misery  !  since  the  day  wlie.i  the 
jrentb  Kintr  Charles  lost  his  rea-zm,  t'.iere  h.is  been 
no  p:,ic.' in  the  kingdom  of  France.     .V  civil  v.ar 


iii 


d  the  iiu- 
\g  cul-cred 
y  lii.-<  pre- 
:.     lly  Ills 

wit'.i    lli-i 

I.  Aelic'.il, 
;3  wont  to 
tin  to'.vn, 
iod  lords, 
hoiiiscdvcs 
>  fortress. 
k,  and  the 
two  yeiirs. 
ivo  liberty 
tlioso  tcr- 

sovcrci;T;n 
ivnce  of  ;i 
L'liivcrsal 

just  and 
this,  givai 
boon  pur- 
lany  luird- 
ho  richest 
ve  loft  t^) 
jroat  God, 
l:on  of  Ls- 
roni  under 

Iso  known 
)3  tlio  pre- 
.  us?  0 
wiion  the 
0  h:is  I)."cn 
eivil  war 


'J7u-  Old  Clti-sl. 


\o\ 


broke  out  between  the  Burgundians  and  tiie  Aruia- 
gnaes. 

Tiie  English  took  advantage  of  the  dissensions  in 
the  royal  council,  the  want  of  union  and  liarniony 
botwcen  the  king's  uncles,  to  invade  once  more  this 
kingdom,  which  they  had  coveted  for  more  than 
!5i.\ly  years  ;  and  then  was  seen,  horrible  to  think, 
ii  mother,  a  (jnoen,  deposing  her  son  and  the  licir  of 
!!:o  many  kings,  in  favor  of  a  foreign  prince,  an 
enemy  to  the  raoo  and  t)  tlic  country  of  France  ! 
Paris  and  all  the  cities  of  the  kingdom  were  t  .\- 
liausicd  in  their  iinancos,  ruined  by  taxes  and  suti- 
isidies,  overwhelmed  with  distress.  Epidemics, 
severe  cold,  famine,  decay  of  industry  and  com- 
merce, all  corxbined  to  ruin  and  harass  the  ])cople  ; 
in  those  times  were  seen  on  the  highways  and  in  the 
streets  scores  of  little  children,  crying  out,  '•lam 
starving,"' and  hard  was  the  heart  that  would  not 
pity  them,  l)ut  the  poor  householders  could  not 
help  them  ;  for  thera  was  in  the  good  towns  neither 
wheat,  nor  broad,  nor  wood,  nor  coal,  and  the  taxes, 
exactions  of  all  kinds,  rained  down  like  hail  froin 
hell. 

The  most  Christian  king  fared  no  better  than  his 
subjects.  He  was  ])oo'-ly  and  humbly  served  in  the 
Hotel  <lo  Saint  Pol,  v.ith  few  al;tendants,  -with  the 
exception  of  old  followers,  and  but  little  state. 
During  this  time,  at  the  Louvre  the  Englisb  King, 
Henry,  was  displayiiig  great  pomp  and  pageantry, 
as  thongli  he  were  king  of  the  wdiole  -world,  a  thing 
■which  was  grievously  displeasing  to  the  hearts  of 
all  true  rrondimcn.  Tlie  laborers  were  still  more 
unfortunate  than  the  citizens;  robbed,  ruined,  op- 
lircssed,  they  left  their  wives  and  children,  saying, 


'  If! 

I  ' 


I   I 


ij 


104 


The  Old  Chest. 


'*  L.'l  evoi'vlliiiiL;  pi  ii>  ilic  devil;  liltlc  \vc  ciiro 
what  becomes  of  us  ! "'  an;!  they  became  robbers  in 
the  wooils,  and  recruited  companies  of  bri,':-  ads. 
The  poor  king  passed  from  life  to  death,  and  the 
popular  sorrow  wa-^  increased,  in  seeing,  O  pitiable 
sight  !  the  funeral  of  the  King  of  France  headed  by 
an  Englisliman,  the  sword  of  the  King  of  Franco 
borne  before  Fnglishnien,  and  the  people  with  sighs 
and  lamentations  cried,  as  they  followed  the  coflln  of 
King  v.;harles  VI :  '•  0  dj.u\\;t  prince  !  avc  shall 
never  soc  thee  again  ;  we  shall  have  nothing  but 
wars,  since  thou  has  left  us.  Thou  art  gone  to  thy 
rest,  and  we  live  in  tril)ulation  and  sorrow."' 

My  grandfather  had  seen  King  Cliarles  tiie  V., 
called  the  Wise,  and  his  son  and  successor  Charles 
VI.  ;  my  f.ithcr  lived  under  the  gentle  dauphin, 
who  was  called  Charles  VII.,  surnamed  the  Victo- 
rious, and  many  a  time  he  told  us  children  how 
the  kingdom  of  the  Lilies  was  recoverctl  by  an 
huml)le  and  sim])le  shepherdess,  who  would  rathor 
have  spun  beside  her  mother,  but  who  saved  the 
kingdom  of  I'rance,  because  God  willed  it  !  and 
l^ecause  Saint  Louis  and  Charlemagne  were  kneel- 
ing before  the  throne  of  God,  praying  for  their 
successors  I"  It  was  marvellous  how  she  bore  her- 
self in  her  position,  and  how  grandly  and  impres- 
hively  she  spoke,  whilst  in  all  other  things  she  was 
;:he  most  simido  shepherdess  that  ever  Avas  I  But 
a  man  was  found.  I  say  it  to  the  honor  01  the  third 
estate  nr  burghers,  who  by  natural  and  human 
means  aided  in  preserving  the  state  which  Jeanne 
had  recovered.   This  man  was  called  Jacques  Cceur ; 

*  "  I'rolcsilo  la  Pucollo"—"  Trial  of  Uic  Maid  of  Orleans." 


n 


_■  wo  caro 
oljbors  in 
bri'r-  iids. 
,  :uul  tlic 
)  pitiable 
loaJcd  by 
)f  Franco 
,vilh  sighs 

0  coflin  of 
Avc  shall 

tiling  bnt 
n\c  to  thy 

V." 

s  tiic  v., 
ir  Charles 
tlaupliin, 
the  Victo- 
idrcn  liov» 
;-cd  by  an 
lid  ralhor 
saved  the 

1  it  !  and 
ere  kneel- 

for  their 
bore  hcr- 
d  impros- 
gs  she  was 
nis  !  Bnt 
L  the  third 
lid  human 
ch  Joanne 
ues  Cojnr ; 


I 


The  Old  Chest. 


105 


and  11  cousin  of  mine,  my  mother's  nephew,  who 
was  long  employed  in  the  counting-house  of  a  rich 
merchant  of  Bourges,  told  us  wonderful  tales  of 
liim. 

At  that  time,  King  Charles  VII.  had  already  re- 
covered a  part  of  liis  kingdom  from  the  English. 
But  he  needed  Parisian  coins  or  royal  money  to 
drive  them  finally  from  Normandy.  Then  came  a 
man  of  low  Uneaf/c,  as  the  lords  expressed  it,  Avho 
uttered  these  noble  words  : 

"  Sire,  what  I  have  is  yours  !*' 

The  King,  wlio  at  tlio  time  had  neither  goods 
nor  means,  requested  him  to  lend  him  some  money 
to  carry  on  the  war  iu  Normandy,  and  Jaecpies 
Cceur  collected  for  him  four  hundred  thousand 
pounds.*  The  soldiers  were  paid,  and  did  their 
duty  so  well  that  the  English,  bafllcd  and  discom- 
fited, were  obliged  to  depart  from  the  kingdom  of 
Erance.  To  olTer  such  a  sum  to  his  lord  had  been 
no  easy  matter  for  Jacques  ;  according  to  .  he  ac- 
count of  my  cousin  Norbert  Damaze,  a  reliable 
man,  lie  owned  seven  ships,  Avith  which  he  carried 
on  an  immense  trade,  sending  to  other  countiies 
the  wines,  fruits,  and  grains  from  the  fertile  land 
of  Prance,  the  camelots  and  other  stuffs,  the  works 
of  our  artisans  in  iron  and  copper,  and  bringing  in 
return  spices,  medicinal  drugs,  balms,  perfumes, 
wax,  honey,  glassware,  gilt  leather,  silks,  and 
metals,  Avhich  come  to  us  from  other  climes.  He 
was  the  owner  of  mines  of  copper  and  lead,  master 
of  the  mint,  silversmith  to  the  King  of  France. 
Abundantly  rich,  perhaps   too  much   so,  he    liad 


L'f  Orleans." 


*  About  sixteen  millious  "f  francs. 


3 
1 


1 
I 


1 06 


TItc  Old  Chest. 


built  ill  Bourgos  (he  most  heantit'iil  iiouso  in  Frauoc, 
in  which  lie  .s'.idwc:!  little  \vi;5dom  ;  lie  possct-'kHJ 
twenty-two  lordships,  which  were  the  cause  of  great 
troubio  to  him  ;  he  rendered  to  (he  country  and 
to  the  king  most  glorious  .services,  which  provoked 
the  wrath  of  the  v»'icked.  And  yet  was  the  silver- 
Kmith  los^  dosorving  than  the  lords,  the  Dunois, 
the  Li  Hire.-',  the  Xaintrailles  I  I'oor  Jacques 
Cuaur  -was  accused  to  our  lord  the  King,''-'  im- 
])ri.soned,  stripped  of  his  goods,  and  condemned  to 
make  restitution.  But  in  this  extremity  he  found 
love  and  loyalty  amongst  his  clerks  and  sales  nen, 
assisted  them  with  their  savings,  and  furnished 
him  with  the  means  of  reaching  the  Papal  terri- 
tory. Pope  Calixtus  III.  honored  this  great  and 
generous  man,  and  gave  him  commaiul  of  the  fleet 
whicii  lie  Avas  arming  against  the  Turks ;  but 
.lacques,  overwhelmed  with  grief,  died  in  the  Isle  of 
Scio.  ]\ray  Crod  grant  jieaco  to  his  soul,  good  and 
loyal  as  ho  was  in  all  things,  and  a  great  honor  to 
the  burgher  race  frcmi  which  he  sprang  ! 

■'■'  Jac(iuP3  t;(BUV  wa:!  accuse  \  of  havin.T;  iinpoverisherl  the 
country  by  exporting  copper  to  the  intidcls,  and  if  ho  did  ex- 
port copper  it  was  in  cxchango  for  Egyptian  co'tl ;  of  having 
nlt^-red  tho  money  for  Ids  own  boneflt,  whilst  it  was  In  wh.o 
liul  C3tablislied  o'-der  i'.i  tlia  monetary  systems  :  of  liaving 
.sent  arms  to  tho  Turks,  and  ib  w.as  prove!  that  t'leso  arms 
wore  prca  r.it3  fro:n  Charles  VII.  to  tho  Sultan  of  Egypt;  of 
liaving  restored  tj  his  Mussuhnan  ma-^ter  a  Cln-istian  slave 
v.ho  iiad  taken  refuge  0:1  board  0:10  of  his  vessels— tliu  pro- 
mise of  not  taking  away  slaves  v.-a;s  on;^  of  the  express  con- 
ditions of  cDarusrcial  i.itjrcourso  with  tho  L'vant,  and 
J-ic(iuoi  Ca>ur  vras  ojiigo.l  t )  :,ub:u:t  to  it.  Tho  clergy  nobly 
•spousril  the  silver.!mith'sc.r:s3  ;  Top?  Nicholas  V.  wrote  to 
tho  Khig  in  favor  of  t:>o  ac  -used,  and  tho  Church  thowed  her- 
fc'f  oncc>  nj)re  fh?  pi-otoctois  pC  i  inniinc:?  .T.id  nenius. 


L 


Tiic  Old  Clusl. 


107 


France, 

of  groat 
itry  and 
irovokcd 
10  silvor- 
Dunois, 
Jacques 

mncd  to 
ic  found 
lie?  ncn, 
iirnished 
lid  torri- 
roat  and 
tlic  licet 
ks ;  but 
le  Isle  of 
ood.  and 
lonor  to 


risheii  the 
hn  did  cx- 
of  liaving 
as  In  vho 
of  having; 
;ieso  ariu.'i 
Egypt  ;  of 
tiau  slave 
— thu  pro- 
l)rcss  coii- 
raut,  and 
vgy  nobly 

,  Ml'OtO  to 

lowed  her- 
nia. 


A.sforu.<,  wc  liavo  livi'(l  in  uidropoacct'iil  day.- ilum 
thoic  of  our  falluT,-;.  liOui.s  the  Eleventh  rei^iiii 
undisputed  over  Iho  laud  of  France,  having  no 
other  enemy  to  fear  than  the  liory  and  irrilahlo 
Dulcc  of  Burgundy,  last  male  heir  of  tiiat  powerful 
I'ne,  an  oifslioot  ef  the  French  Lilies.  In  the  he- 
giniung  of  his  roigu  inucli  tr(iu!)le  was  made  hy  tlio 
great  vassals  on  pretence  of  tlie  puhlic  good,  but 
tlic  King's  great  wisdom  extricated  lum  from  (his 
dilemma.  lie  was  gradually  seen  sh-ildug  down 
all  the  branches  of  the  feudal  tree  which  eclipsed 
tiie  majesty  of  the  cimwii,  and  souglit  .<u])p(irt  fror.i 
the  men  of  low  tlegree.  in  whom  he  found  gooil- 
will,  wisdom,  and  loyally.  Often  have  I  seen  that 
King,  perfectly  simple,  clad  in  a  short  coat,  with  an 
old  doublet  of  gray  fustian,  a  felt  hat,  and  a  modest 
chaplet  of  medals,  despising  the  vain  niagnilicencc 
with  which  the  great  of  the  earth  usually  are  at- 
tired, keeping  iw,  greater  state  than  when  he  was 
the  poor  exiled  dauphin  at  GenalTe,  and  reserving 
the  fruits  of  his  savings  for  more  useful  things.  Of 
the  ideasures  of  kiugs  ami  great  lord  i  lie  had  u 
fondness  for  one  only,  the  chase,  and  this  he  kept 
for  himself  alone  by  edicts  so  harsh  and  so  rig-  .)u;? 
that  it  was  a  less  erime  to  kill  a  man  than  a  boar  or 
stag. 

Our  beautiful  i)rovinco  of  Picardy,  the  ancient 
appanage  of  our  kings,  was  more  than  any  other 
the  prey  of  my  Lord  of  Burgundy,  v.ho  wished  to 
recover  possession  of  the  Picardian  towns,  formerly 
delivered  to  his  house  by  traitors.  Jly  eldest  daugh- 
ter, Beatrice,  who  was  married  to  ]\IasterAngc  Gai- 
ly, a  ficrivencr  of  Bcauvais,  oftentimes  related  the 
marvels  and  the  feats  of  tiic  siege  cf  tluit  cilv,  and 


;lf 


I  OS 


The  Old  Oust. 


Mio  iniigiiiinimous  virtue  (lisplaycd  liy  (lie  citizens, 
Avlio  (lofoiulcd  at  tlio  sumo  tiiiio,  against  tlic  terrible 
Duko  of   Burgundy,  tlieir  goods,  (lioir  iionor,  tii' ir 
lives,  and  tlic  frontiers  of  tlio  kingdom  of  France. 
It  ivas  in  tlio  year  ]4T;».     ,     .     .     I'jic  Duke  of 
Burgundy  rodo  liiniself  at  tiie  liead  of  liis  nrmy, 
which  was  formida1)lc!  and  imposing  to  see,  but  tlic 
citizens -wero  not  afraid.     The  company  of  archers 
did  wondeis;  the  women  and  young  girls  had  as- 
sembled at  the  shrine  of  the  Blessed  .Saint  Anga- 
dresme,  patroness  of  the  city.*     But  they  did  not 
conlinc  their  efforts  to  prayer  and  lainenlation  ;  they 
mounted  the  rani])arts,  carrying  t(»  tlie  defenders  of 
the  city  supplies,  provisions,  cordials;  and,  more- 
over, they  aided  in  the  rigliteous  defence  of  their 
city,  rolling  great  stones  down  upon  their  assailants, 
and  pouring  upon  their  heads  boiling  Avatcr  and 
oil.     In  vain  did  the  enemy  several  times  attempt 
to  scale  the  ramparts  ;  they  Avere  always  repulsed. 
.     .     .     The  women  and  maidens  (and,  thanks  be 
to  Heaven,  my  daughter  showed  that  she  came  of  a 
good  stock)  cried,  "  Saint  Angadresme  to  our  aid  !" 
and  they  threw  the  cruel  Burgundians   into   the 
ditches  below. 

A  simple  and  modest  maiden  of  Beauvais,  named 
Jeanne  Four(|uot,  made  herself  remarkable.  She 
snatched  from  the  hands  of  a  Burgundian  standard- 
liearcr  the  banner  which  ho  was  about  to  plant  on 
the  walls,  and  as  she  made  use  of  a  small  axo  she 


Mj 


*  Saint  Angmlresmo  was  the  (lauRhtor  of  Robert,  Keeper  of 
■,he  .Seals  to  Clotairo  ;  from  her  childhood  sIio  consecrated  her- 
;  elf  to  retii-cmoiit  and  to  tho  service  of  Ood,  and  received  the 
^eil  from  tho  hands  of  Haint  Owen.  Sho  died  in  tho  vcar 
6t'8. 


Tlw  OlJCIust. 


1 09 


L'ltizcns, 
terrible 
ir,  111'  ir 
Fraiifo. 
lake  of 
.s  nriny, 
but  the 
iirchers 
hiicl  as- 
t  Aiigii- 
did  not 
II ;  tlicy 
iders  of 
i,  inoro- 
if  their 
ailaiits, 
tor  and 
ittcmpt 
pulsed, 
ink 3  bo 
mo  of  a 
raid!" 
ito   the 

named 
;.  She 
mdard- 
lant  on 
ixo  she 

deeper  of 
ited  lier- 
ivod  the 
ho  year 


»♦, 


and  lior  descendants  bavo  bmiu'  tlic  .^uruaiiic  .if 
Ilarlntlr,  wliiob  i'^  sliU  dear  to  llio  nioiiiory  of  the 
people  of  Boauvais.  One  of  (be  pates  of  tlie  tnwn 
liad  been  foreed  in  by  l)lo\vs  of  tlie  eulvcrin  ;  llie 
IJurgundians  rushed  forward  to  er.ter  through  this 
opening,  but  the  eourage  of  the  citizens  increased 
at  sight  of  such  grc;  t  jierii  ;  they  lioaped  together 
wood,  pitch,  and  itots  of  oil  behind  the  broken  gate, 
tliey  set  tiro  to  it,  a  ul  ojiposed  to  tho  enemy,  for 
Avant  of  a  rampart  '-f  stones,  a  raminirt  of  unceasing 
Ihinies,  ke[)t  up  i>y  beams  and  planks  from  tlie 
nei'dilioring  houses.  The  enemy  retreated,  and 
after  twelve  lumrs'  sicgo  and  combat  the  citizens 
v.'ero  reinforced  by  companies  of  artillery,  bowmen, 
and  gual•d^^,  come  from  Amiens,  from  8enlis,  from 
Paris,  and  from  Tapper  Normandy,  for  in  such  cir- 
cumstances brother  does  not  abandon  l)rother,  the 
fingers  of  the  hand  aid  each  other,  and,  when  one- 
good  town  sulTers.  all  tlu^  others  are  pained  and 
sorrowful. 

lU'fore  many  days  liad  i)asscd  there  were  ^o  many 
men  in  the  town  that  tliey  would  have  sniliccd  to 
defend  not  only  one  wall,  but  tho  liedge  of  a  tield.'=' 
The  siege  lasted  a  month  all  but  five  days,  and,  full 
of  rage,  Duke  Charles  Avas  compelled  to  decide  on 
i-etreating  without  trumpets,  repulsed  by  the  citi- 
zens, -who  had  saved  their  honor  and  the  welfare  of 
the  kingdom.  King  Louis  was  grateful  :  he  grant- 
ed to  tho  citizens  of  his  good  town  of  Beauvais  tho 
right  of  holding  noble  licfs,  without  paying  taxes 
oH)eingheld  to  militia  service,  tho  free  election  of 
the  mayor  and  of  the  members  of  their  corporation. 

*  l-^xprosslir.is  lie  Comniines. 


^ir 


no 


Ilti   Old  Clu-^t. 


and  (lie  ricrht  df  iissoml)lin,<.;  in  tlii.'  Iiousof  of  citizens 
t:)  (Ic'liheralo  on  llioir  c")!iiini)!i  iiitcMvst  ;  ho  c.\tmi)t- 
cil  tlicin  fniiii  (1k>  poll-hix,  aiul  various  othcrn,  Iio 
enjoined  tlio  c-itublislinu'i;!  of  ii  >"o!oiirn  lUMcc.-sion 
every  y.wx,  jiiul  coinrnaiiilcil  that  the  liravc  women 
of  I5oaiivui.s  sliould  iicneefortii  niarcli  in  front  of  the 
men  at  (he  a!)uve-nientioned  jji-occssion  ef  Saint 
Angndresnie,  and  he  dispensed  these  honorable  wo- 
men from  all  the  suniptiiarv  laws  rcspeeling  their 
garments,  rings,  and  jewelry. 

Five  years  after,  the  (leree  Dnko  of  Burgundy 
perished,  as  was  sujiposed,  at  the  battle  of  Xaney, 
under  the  blows  of  the  Swiss  ])easants,  by  whom, 
twice  before,  ho  had  been  phamefnlly  and  entirely 
vuiHiuished.  Tlie  crafty  Louis  had  often  saiil  '•  I  iiat 
he  knew  no  belter  means  of  avenging  himself  on 
CMiarles  llian  to  let  liini  throw  liimseif  again.-t  the 
Germans,**  and  t!ie  event  sliowod  how  clear-sight- 
ed was  the  King  of  France. 

At  tho  t;nv,>  i;f  my  Ti  -.rd  of  Ilurgundy's  death,  h^ 
had  just  ]iromi.-:ed  to  aid  and  supixirt  King  Kduard 
of  England,  i:i  recovering  the  kingdom  of  France. 
But  (iod  delivered  ns  from  such  calamities,  lie 
permitted  tliat  the  rich  and  glorious  house  of  Ihir- 
gundy,  whith  had  been  honored  far  and  near,  per- 
ished miserably  i;i  tho  jierson  of  Charles,  who  left 
n.j  m  lie  heirs,  and  t!iat  gradually,  by  wars  and  by 
troatic.-^  the  crown  of  l'"ran:o  recovered  its  righls 
over  ^;o  many  dr.ciiies  ami  larldonis,  so  many  lord- 
slii])s,,  which  had  bcc^  held  by  the  heirs  of  Philip 
tho  Bold,  to  the  great  detriment  of  the  kingdom  of 
the  Lilies. 

*  Bco  Coinmincs. 


The  Old  Chat. 


I  I  I 


if  citizens 
>  cxctni)!- 
hcrn  ,  lie 
rncc.-si.iii 

C  WdllU'll 

intdf  tin.' 
of  Sain  I 
i'aI)lo  \vo- 
iiig  tliL'ir 

iirp;ini<ly 
'  Xaiioy, 
y  whom, 
ontiivly 
id  '-lliat 
mst'lf  (111 
iiii.>t  the 
ii'.'-sic-lit- 

oatli,  Ii  > 
Ivluard 
France. 
ics.  llo 
of  Bill', 
par,  per- 
^s\w  left 
and  liy 
s  \\'t\\\-& 
w\  lord- 
l  Philip 
crdoni  cf 


Whatever  wore  tlie  siilTerinjrs  wliich  tlie  pt>|inla<e 
still  endured  by  the  raising' ol' taxes  anil  inciea.>-(>  cf 
tolls,  coni^idcrinp  llio  times  of  tmr  falheis  wc^lmnld 
esteem  ourselves  fdrliinale.  The  Kin;:' has  at  heart 
preat  froDd-nill  for  \\^\  he  favor.;  ei)niinere«,'  and 
trailie  hy  land  and  sea  ;  he  grants  preat  freidom  lo 
nniny  towns  •,  in  line,  he  loves  those  wlio  are  the 
life  (if  the  state,  and  they  in  tlieir  tnrn  oupht  to 
cherish  him.  May  (iod  prant  him  lonp  lite — for 
ho  is  anxious  to  live — to  him  and  to  his  po.stcrity  ! 

I  shall  not  see  his  royal  descendants  reipninp 
and  llourishinp ;  lam  «dil  ;  my  children,  praise  !e 
to  God,  arc  lionoraldy  settled  ;  one  of  them,  Au- 
gustine, is  a  poldsmith,  and  excels  in  his  craft  ; 
the  second,  Taliian,  a  scrivener  and  compiler  id' 
rubrics,  lias  quitted  our  city  of  Amiers  to  settle  in 
Paris,  v,  licre  ho  dwells  not  far  from  the  C'luireh  (.f 
Saint  Jacques-dc-hi-Houcherio ;  Beatrice,  my 
dauphter,  i-s  hapi)y  and  much  esteemed  in  her 
town  of  Beauvais;  Fran';oise,  my  younpest  child, 
left  us  to  devote  herself  to  t!io  service  of  (J:id  in 
the  austere  Order  of  the  Boor  Clares.  Thu3  families 
are  scatterctl  accordinp  to  tho  will  of  Almiphty 
(iod.  I  did  what  I  could  for  my  children,  first  in 
toachinp  thorn  to  lovo  and  serve  Cioil,  then  in  in- 
structing them  accordinp  to  their  state  and  con- 
diiion. 

All  of  them  know  hov,-  lo  nail  and  write  ; 
they  are  not  obliped  to  juit  for  seal  or  signatures, 
at  tho  bottom  of  documents  or  letters,  a  tool  of 
their  trade — tho  blacksmith,  his  hammer;  tho 
car[""iter,  his  plane  ;  the  inason,  his  trowi  I."    .    .    . 

■•' AVo  liavc  rccn  r-'.r.ry  I'.ccv.ir.rn'r.  nd  Icltcrr.  cf  niecliar.ics 
signed  with  l-.aibnicus  unit  uinr  ni.irl  i::.-  lis,  icjifnr.i:i  t;  thu 


f  I 


I 


if 


ira 


T,tc  Old  C/nst. 


I  Jiol.l  11  litilo  kiiowlcdgo  pood  in  nil  coiKJitions ; 
I  tlunk  this  opinion  is  giiiiiinff  more  and  nioro,  and 
(liat  It  soon  will  1)0  11  diHgraoo  for  any  ono  not  to 
know  how  to  road,  oithor  for  amusoniont  or  ncoos- 

Hitv. 


tonls„r  tlicir  prnft,  an  the  HlRnntiiro.  Tt  w„h  tl,o  plrlK^ion 
of-arrns.  Mr.  (iontil  Ivslnnips.  nt  Lill...  hns  nmi.y  pniH-r 
signed   a  )ii8  vuluuble  wlleutioii. 


pont- 
Hthus 


.1 


;i 


iiditiuiis  ; 
loi'p,  and 
10  not  to 

)!•    lU'CCS- 


Maix  coot- 
injH'islhus 


MI. 


CAIIMiI.ir     \.,,/    I'KcrilSTANT 


SIN  ri  r.xTii 


1,  'iiii;  ;:n':ii-i:niii(l.H)i)  if  Ihal  Aml)nisc'  Du- 
cliaisno  who  c.-leriiicd  Kiuiwletljjfc  so  lii;i:lily,  ainl 
till"  prandson  (if  aMasU'r  J''al>iaii,  list' fonipik'r,  Ikim; 
addi'il  sumo  iiolo.s  (o  those  which  my  I'atlicrs  (may 
their  souls  rest  witli  (fod  I)  iia\t' lali(iriou>iy  traccil. 
\\\'  live  ill  slraii^'c  times,  and  all  around  u^  is  dis- 
sension (if  minds,  dis(()rd,  and  malice.  Often  liave 
I  hoard  said  hy  eliurcli  ixdple,  '•  There  must  lie 
licre.-ies.*'  JJitler  neeepsity  of  (Piir  conditio'i  vu 
earth,  where  we  can  iieitlicr  have  peace  nor  rest  ; 
for  to  eniimeraie  the  stixains  (.f  li!(.(id  wliieli  here- 
sies liave  caused  to  How  i.i  somethim,'  inipossihle. 
In  tlio  last  eeuUiry,  as  I  liave  heard  rehile(|  hy  the 
Bolieniian  and  lln'iparian  students  wlio  eoine 
to  seek  kuowleilue  at  \Uv  I'liiversity  of  Paris, 
Germany  was  harassed  liy  the  cruel  wars  of 
John  Ziska  and  his  followers,  the  olTsiniiii,'  (tf 
llie  damnalile  heresy  of  John  IIuss  ;  and  in  the 
beginning- of  this  century,  i.ndcr  King  Francis  I., 
it  was  a^aiii  froiu  fJormany  that,  tho  ever-to-l»c-lu- 
mented  error  of  Luther  came  to  us.    Iievolt  nirainsfc 

God  andagainsl  the  iiowers  of  the  earth  is  all  tluiti 

w, 


rr 


»i» 


'>  I  lie  tlisci|iK., 


r  I. Ill  Ik  r,  (if 


w.i-^   I'n.iiplit   (.1   II 

••Wimt   is  (;.mI:-'  „.k..,|  ,|,op,.,.I   KinirS.i 
LmiHuf  il,..siiv,l,.  .luiinill,.. 

•'/;;"'•■•  "'H«-,.|v,l   I,,..    ••  i.s  .sumc.tlm,^.   ,.,  pK„l 
llpti  tlicivciiii  lie  ii(.ilu'ii;r  heller." 

••''n'lv.-sahllhrliolv'Ki,,;:, -_vo.ih.,v..ai,.su,.re.| 
"<■   ;i.vk  nf  l.rlVticM,   'Wliiit    U  voiir 


U( 


[{lit 


i  '        I    »,»        .1  '  "■  I'll       in      1  Will 

!*'"'•     '.'"'V"""!-!   in.Mv.rll.u.s    it   w.mM   K.Vm  : 

'^"""■'.''"'"  "' '••■' "'  "•.isc-t.,i,vr:,Mm.t  1,0;  fur 

u'luni.sK.s,,sr,.-.vilsui,iHMvoc.annon,voi.i.::„,| 

.;:"'';''•  ^:''''''-'f -■'•'- i-''.^'A,nii,H  null. 

l.o.v.,M,.s.nlK.avni.  Uut  .l,n.„,.i.  .livincfrnwo 
the  km^'il...,.  of  France.,  thouplMnmi.  imiunllnl 
'"•^  >v.n;ui,...l  ('.tI.„ii..:aIHio,i.h,t  Ui.  L.I  of 
t..c"  lli..M.ennts  vvuv  mt..  ^^nninMen.  ionl...  m„.I 
.■voM  .i.'^'c.noratcmmsofSain,  Lmu'..  (!,.  citizens 
.f  1,0  owns  tl.og,,,,.,  iHn,,leor,i,eeo,u,(rywm. 
faithf.il.  am    lu.vo  nnt  penniKe.itl,,  kinfr.lom  ..f 

mvLilu.sto  n.etlR.ren...nufit.siuuient  inu-rilv. 
I"".  a.s  Liu.  k,n.ir,ln,n  HnlFeml.  ead,  family  l,a,l  l„ 
I»ay  M.m..  mln...  to  f|,,  pnlili.  misfurtu'iioH.  an.l 

tluTcMvero  fiMv  wlm  Innl  m,L  tomunni  tiKMlefeeti, 
of  somcM.f  their  children. 

;nuTe  wore  three  l.n.thor.s  of  us,  Cla.nlc.  Fran- 
'/'•'^■.  .;muI  myself,  who  was  name!  Thihaiit.  We 
wore  lu  the  (Worofyo;,,!,  ji.st  at  the  time  when 
tlio  rclisnms  ilispntes  reaehc.l  their  hci-hl      The 

JJ'"M.Kin.Cl,ark.sthoXiu.huasa,ni:;or:n,Hler 
^.0  ivgency  of  Queon  Catherine,  aa,|  it  uas  whi.- 
pcm],  amongst  ns  citizens  of  I'aris,  that  the  inno- 
vation, meet  wit],  proat  .neco.8  at  court.  Jlicliel 
do  IHopital.  then  Chancellor  of  the  real 


111 


im,  Mas  a 


Tlif  ('/,/( lust.  1 1 5 

very  ilnul.tful  Callidlic,  timl  Iiis  wife  ami  all  Iii.^ 
family  wir.'  rn.tistaiilH  ;  tlic  I'riiui'of  Coml.'.  an 
olistiiuid'  JIii;:iK'm>t,  \va>i<'m'  uf  tin-  Kiii^'VcmiiHil  ; 
UacpariK'  Colifjny  (>ee'm<(l  to  lia\t'  \\w  tdiirulciict' of 
llii'Qiucii  liop'iil,  (((wlidiii  111'  |iiiiii(i'(l  out  iIk'imo- 
K's.-ioiis  of  till'  i'ii'r<.'y  art  an  I'a.^y  )nvy  with  wliicli 
til  lill  tlif  vdiil  in  till' royal  tivasitiry.  Aiitoino  do 
Bourlioi),  Kin;,'  of  Navanv,  wiio  \va«  also  a  Iliifiiic- 
iiot,  liiiil  ju,>t  in'on  apiininti'd  lii'iit('!iaiit-;,'oiici'al  of 
tlio  Kiii^T'lom  ;  tlio  foii'i^rn  worsiiip  was  imu'tisi'd 
even  in  the  royal  imhuc  <»f  tlic  liHiiMv,  and  on  woak 
iiiinds  llusi'  i'.\am|ili'.-i  ^railmilly  rMTci.-i  d  a  fatal 
iiilliii'iico.  TiiL'  younfrost  td'  my  lirotlu'rs,  Franvois, 
liad  prolitcil  litllo  liy  tlio  virtuous  oxamplosof  tlioso 
^'oiie  liffoiv.  Ill'  was  u  youn^'  man  of  llcry  temper, 
opposed  to  restraint,  an  enemy  to  work,  and  wlmse 
iiielinalions  deeply  ^'rieved  oiir  worthy  and  lioiiored 
mother.  Even  on  her  d^^'athbcd  it  troubled  her, 
and  she  prayed  to  the  sweet  Jesus  and  the  Blessed 
Virgin  for  her  poor  Fraii(;ois.  Alas!  if  she  eoiild 
have  foreseen  the  future,  with  what  bitterness  of 
heart  she  would  have  left  the  earth  !  Wo  soon  pei- 
eeiveil  that  our  brother  shunned  our  Foeietv,  and 
ne;,de''ttd  the  trade  of  f^oldsmith  in  wliieh  we  weiii 
all  employed,  my  eldest  brother  being  ilie  master, 
and  wo  working  as  his  aids  and  assistants,  whilst 
wo  waited  to  be  reeeived  as  masters.  Wc  learned 
that  Franyois  had  appeared  at  Protestant  sermons, 
wliieh  wore  then  delivered  in  various  parts  of  the 
city,  and  that  i:e  had  e-eii  partaken  of  the  Lord's 
Sujiiier  with  them.  It  was  llidy  Tliursday.  My 
brother  Claude,  a  manof  great  virtue  and  of  eminent 
piety,  liad  passed  his  day  in  the  eliurehes  before  the 
sacrament  of  (iio  altar;    I   bad   just    enme   down 


fff 


ii6 


The  Old  Chest. 


from  tlio  workshop,  ■\vhcro  I  liud  given  llic  last  rub 
of  tlio  polisliiiig-iron  to  uclialicc  ordered  forKust.r 
.Sunday  l)y  the  euro  of  Saint  Germain  I'Auxerrois; 
our  old  Aunt  Martlic  had  set  tdc  tabic  for  the  colla- 
tion, and,  wjiilst  awaiting  our  coming,  she  stitched 
away  at  clothing  destined  for  the  poor  of  the 
parish,  for  she  was  the  almoner,  and   was  very 
zealous  in  seeking  out  the  unfortunate.     Wc  were 
waiting  for  Franyois,  when  the  door  of  tlio  back- 
shop  opened,  and  ho  entered  abruptly.      Looking 
at  the  table,  with  a  dc,1ant  air,  he  stiid  shortly  : 
"Is that  all  the  supper?" 

Now,  the  pupper,  according  to  custom  in  Lent 
and  penitential  times,  consisted  of  dried  fruits  and 
of  last  year's  apples;  and,  certainly,  it  was  a 
wedding-feast  compared  to  the  privations  of  so 
many  religious  in  their  cloisters,  who,  on  so  me- 
morable a  day,  eat  nothing  but  bread  and  water  • 
and  still  more  the  Fathers  of  Saint  Bernard,  founded 
by  Joan  de  la  Barriure,  ate  this  bread  on  their  knees 
and  drank  the  water  from  skulls,  which  they  used 
instead  of  cups  and  glasses. 

'•  Eh  !  is  it  not  Lent  ?"  said  Aunt  Marthc  gently, 
"  and  could  we  use  any  other  food  ?  " 

'•'  Those  arc  superstitions  taught  by  the  priests," 
cried  Franvois,  "and  I  no  longer  pretend  to  con- 
form to  them." 

So  saying,  he  sat  down,  drew  from  under  his 
cloak  some  slices  of  salt  meat,  and  began  to  eat. 

'^Brotlier,  what  are  you  doing  ?"  cHcd  Claude. 

"  louarc  outrageously  violating  the  precepts  of  the 

Church,  and  I  siuill  not  suffer  it  in  my  jn-esence 

nnderthc  roof  which  sheltered  our  worthy  parents." 

'•I  no  longer  recognize  your  Clinrch,    nor  lli'o 


The  Old  Chest. 


W] 


llic  last  nib 
lfor]-::i.sf>,r 
'Au.\c'iTi)is ; 
1'  llic  colla- 
lio  stilched 
)or  of  llie 

I  was  vei'y 
We  wore 

tlio  back- 
Looking 
liortly  : 

II  in  Lent, 
fruits  and 

it  was  ii 
ons  of  so 
on  so  mo- 
k1  Avator  ; 
I,  founded 
leir  i^nees, 
they  used 

lie  gen  tl}', 

priests," 
J  to  con- 

inder  his 
to  oat. 

Claude. 
)ts  of  tlio 
presence, 
parents." 

nor  \\\c. 


laws  whicli  make  slaves  of  men  I  I  am  a  man,  I 
am  free,  and  to  all  three  of  you  I  declare  that  I 
have  ahjurcd  it,  and  that  henceforth  I  belong  to 
the  Communion  of  Calvin." 

"0  wretched  boy  I"  cried  my  aunt. 

"Brother,  retract  your  words,"  said  Claude  : 
"  such  treason  is  not  possible.  The  son  of  our  virtu- 
ous parents  cannot  be  an  apostate." 

"  I  am  not  an  apostate,  but  a  reiormcr,"  answered 
Franij'ois ;  "  the  jargon  of  prioots,  monks,  and  de- 
votees has  no  more  influence  over  nu>.  I  belong 
to  the  free  worship,  in  whicli  each  man  is  to  himself 
his  own  church  and  his  own  light." 

"Poor  deluded  bov  !  do  you  assume  tliat  your 
single  and  fecl.iie  jmlgnient  is  Aviser  than  the 
Church  founded  by  Jesus  Christ,  and  comirmcd  by 
sixteen  centuries  of  persecution  ajid  1  triumi)li  ? 
Do  not  (|uit  the  fold,  my  brother ;  the  shee]»  who 
stray  from  it  arc  lost  !  It  is  i)ride  which  causes 
von  to  follow  the  con'.iiion  way,  and  to  embrace 
these  novelties  ;  it  is  pride  which  invites  you  to 
join  a  wandering  iloek,  beguiled  into  the  way  of 
perdition,  rather  tlian  remain  a  disciple  in  the 
school  of  truth,  letting  yours^df  be  led  by  the  hand 
of  the  pastors  in  the  right  way.  Kenonnce  the 
spirit  of  falsehood,  0  my  dear  brother  I  and  be  sub- 
missive in  order  to  be  saved." 

"  That  is  enough  of  preaching,  brother  Claude," 
re])lied  Fran<;ois  :  "  your  words  are  as  idle  as  the 
drifting  snov,-.  It  is  a  thing  decided  upon,  done, 
and  consummat'd.  I  am  a  Calvinist,  and  in  sjjite 
of  all  you  can  say,  to-morrow  I  dcj  ;'t  with  the  fol- 
lowers of  the  Prince  of  Condc." 

The^e  wonls  Idled  us  witli  consterniition  ;  poor 


liH 


J   ! 


AmiL  ^[.irllio  kiu'il;  down  before  Francois  ;  my  bro- 
Ihtr  "jiml  I  iiiiiilorcd  liiiu   :   ;ill  wan    u>cle.-^:; ;   ^iic 
f'.iild  (if  iicnlitiuii  k'ft  our  duolliiirr,  and  wo  soon 
learned  (liai,   ivnoiiiicin;^,'  liis  faitli,  a.s  lie  iiad  ro- 
nounecd  Uic  lioiiorahle  empluymciit  of  liis  fatlieiv, 
li:  liiul  enlisted  amongst  impious  Gennaii  fout-sol- 
diers  and  other  i)rolligates,  wiiom   the    Prinee  of 
'"'(indc  kejjt  in  his  relimie.     This  was  for  iis  the 
stibjeet  of  great  alllief  ion,  and  shanio  anionpst  our 
Jieighbors   and  associates,  for  it    Avas  well  known 
what  lidelily  the  t!'ades])e()ide  of  Paris  had  shown 
towards  t!ie  Holy  Sec  and  the  good  and  ancient  re- 
ligion,     ^ly   brother  Claude   especially   took  this 
grief  to  heart,  and  became  more  than  ever  assidu- 
ouj  iajirayer,  meditation,  the  ollice^  <f  the  Church, 
and  i:i  jiractices  of  jiusiere  penance,  and  his  design 
became  but  too  ap{)arent.    At  length  he  disclosed  it, 
and  told  us,  A\ith  mingled  gentleness  and  firmness, 
ilu'.t  he  had  resolved  to  leave  the  world,  to  serve 
(tod  in  tho  religious  life,  and  that  he  had  chosen 
the  Order  of  Capucliins,  as  lieiiigone  of  tlie"])oorest 
ami  most  penilcnlial  that  could  be  found. 

■■  W  e  inust  make  reparation  for  that  ])oor  unfor- 
tunate," said  he  to  me,  "that  the  v.rath  of  God 
may  not  come  down  upon  him.  I  willingly  oiur 
myself  to  the  Divii.e  ^lajesty  lo  obtain  mci'cv  I'oi' 
our  uiduijipy  brother." 

A  f e  V  days  after  tiiis  conver.sition,  my  worthy 
l)n;tlicr  set  out  for  Augoiimois,  where  he  wa.-',  ac- 
coniiiig  to  the  will  (f  his  !  upcrior.--,  to  enter  the 
Xoviti.ite  of  the  Capuchin  Brothers  in  the  city  cf 
Angoulome.  I  bitterly  lamented  his  departure, 
deploring  tlic  i'atid  inr.cjvatioiis  wliich  had  thua 
separal.d,  fi'om  Mich  <!ilTerent  motives,  three  bro- 


(;oi.s  ;  my  \tra- 

and  wo  soon 
Iri   lie  iliul  vc- 
'  liis  fatlieiv, 
nan  foot-.5ul- 
10    Prince  of 
s  for  us  tlio 
anioiipst  our 
well   known 
i  liatl  t^Iiown 
il  ancient  re- 
ly  took  this 
ever  assidu- 
flie  Cliureli, 
id  his  dosipi 
di.scloscd  it, 
lid  firinnc??, 
rid.  to  servo 
had  clioseii 
r  tlie'])oorcst 
nd. 

])oor  nnfor- 
•ath  of  God 
lliiiEfly  otTer 
1    iiurcy  l'(»r 

my  worthy 
i  lie  wa.-',  ae- 

0  enter  tlio 
.  tlio  eily  of 

depiU'ture, 

1  liad    tlu'.fl 
■'.  three  hro- 


/'/.    ()/,/  (  '/us.'. 


1  I) 


;  tiers  who  had  been  from  t  liildhood  .<o  cln.-elv  ui.iied, 
iiiul  iivinir  in  .•^^iich  iiitiinacy  and  eonlidenco  ih;',!  i: 
h:;dieinud  that  deiith  alone  cmld  have  fcundoiid 
fo  ftron;;-  an  alliance  ;  and,  in  regretting  niyFaiiilly 
brother  Claudo,  I  btill  wept  for  the  fail  Of  "the  un"- 
lortunate  Fraiwyois, 

rublif  affairs  were  occupy  in^-  every  mind.  The 
rrinee  (f  Co:\de  had  thrown  off  tlio  iiM.-k,  and 
ojienly  i:Kinife>ted  Ids  desipi  of  ;;ui)portiiig  llie  new 
reiiiridu  by  force  of  arniti;  Gas[)arde  C'oligiiy  joined 
l.im  ;  and,  at  the  licad  (;f  tlic  Huguenot  army,  thev 
niri)rised  the  city  (t  Orleai;;-,  which  tb.ey  made 
their  ]iead(piarters,  alter  having,  however,  ]ih:r.- 
dcred  the  Catholic  churches  and  confiscated  the 
Church  goodj— that  is  to  .-;iy,  the  iiatrimony  ef  tlic 
]H:or.  The  sectaries  (,f  Calvin  thought  thc'mselvts 
then  superior  to  their  rdveiTarics  ;  tiiey  asicmbkd 
tumultuously,  and,  in  the  towns  where  thev  wire 
nnmerons,  they  tei/.cd  upon  (ho  churches,  ]  icfarcd 
the  lioly  altars,  and  inlHcted  must  frighd'i;!  u-.y- 
iurcsupon  ihe  priests  and  Iho  faithful.  Such  n:- 
mors  of  iiicir  (  ruelty  went  abroad  as  filled  all  hon- 
est hearts  with  horror;  i-.evcr  had  the^  land  ot 
France  been  alliicted  by  ro  many  sacrileges,  ncr  I  y 
so  much  barbarity. 

In  this  interval,  I  received  a  letter  from  mv  br..- 
tlier  Claude,  which  I  insert  here.     He  wrote  : 

"  Axfion.KM K,  J n ue  ;.'.'.,  i ,".(:•.'. 
'•  Pkaci;  1!i:  with  \'()r  I 
"  liEUjvEi*  BuoTin:!:  : 

'•It  has  jueased  the  Loiil  td  try  i:>  1  v  gre  i  c  a- 
lamiiicj  si'.u-o  I  last  wrote  to  u.u.  Vna  lurve  1 1  ;■- 
ha])S  Iieard  that  lids  city  of  Angouirmc,  besieged 
by  theiruguenofs,  has  al  last  f.illiii  Info  ll'.eir  liandst 


I20 


The  01<I  Chest. 


tliey  seized  ujmn  llio  pules  of  (he  city,  ami  liavo 
ravaged  and  despoiled  all  the  places   coiisecratoa 
(o  Iho  Lord,  although  a  treaty,  confirmed  hy  oaili, 
secured  to  priests  and  faithful  Catholics  the  free 
I'.xercisc  of  their  religion.      The  liouses  and  i)er- 
sons  belonging  to  our  holy  order  have  n«jt  been 
spared,  and  the  Lord  has  pertnitted,  for  his  greater 
glory,   that  many  among   us  resisted  even    unto 
blood.    Perhaps  it  may  be  agreeable  to  you  to  know 
the  names  and  deeds  of  the  now  confessors.    There- 
fore, I  will  cite  JJrother  Gre'.let,  Sujierior  of  the 
Convent  of   St.  Francis,  in  this  city,  who,  from 
hatred  to  (he  true  religion,  was  hung  and  strangled 
on  the  gallows,  btl'oiv  (he  eyes  of  (laspar  deCo- 
ligny,  the  chief  of  these  rebels.     Heady  to  appear 
before  God,  witii  the  cord  already  around  his  neck, 
this  courageous  priest  jjrodicted  to  Coligny  a  (erri- 
l)lo  and  bloody  end.     .     .     .      May  God  avert  from 
him  this  pro])hecy,  and  have  mercy  on  that  ]ioor 
sinner  !   Brother  Jean  Viroleau,  reader  of  the  same 
monastery,  was   inhumanly  massacred  by  the  here- 
tics, as  also  an  old  man  of  eigli(y,  Brother  Joan 
Avril,    who  was  beheaded  !     A  learned  doctor  of 
theology,  Brother  Pierre  Boumeau,  also  gave  his 
blood  and  his  life  for  the  same  holy  cause.     The 
Huguenots  took,  and  shut  up  in  a  house  belonging 
to  a  citizen  of  the  town,  named  Papin,  thirty  Ca- 
tholics, Avhom  they  put  to  death  by  various  tortures. 
Some  died  by  starvation,  others  were  sawed  in  two, 
others  burned  at  a  slow    (Ire— horrible   cruellies, 
v.liieh   arc  repulsive  t'»  the  natural  gentleness  of 
our  nation.      A  we,  thy  magistrate,  Jlessire  Jean 
Arnold,  v,as  strangled,  after  having  undergone  va- 
rious torture.;  ;  w  widow,  who  was  venerable  alike 


The  OUChcst. 


\2\ 


ios  11 10  freo 
M  iind  per- 
0  not  been 

Ills  greater 

even  unto 
on  to  know 
irs.  Tliere- 
n'or  of  tlio 

who,  from 
d  strangled 
[)ar  (le  Co- 
s  to  appear 
d  his  neck, 
:ny  :i  teni- 

avcrt  from 

iliat  ]ioor 
if  the  same 
y  the  ]>ere- 
jther  Jean 

doctor  of 
0  gave  his 
mse.     The 

belonging 
thirty  Ca- 
is  tortures, 
ed  in  two, 

cruel  licj-, 
itleness  of 
ssire  Jean 
ergonc  va- 
able  alike 


from  her  a<;e  and  virtue,  fell  info  iIr.  hinids  of  these 
rullians,  who  would  not  respect  the  old  age  of  their 
mother,  and  was  dragged  through  the  streets  and 
put  to  death.    Another  Catholic  lady,  liavinggiven 
hosi)itality  to  some  Huguenot  soldiers,  was  burned 
in  her  own  house  ;  a  saintly  priest,  in  the  vicinity 
of  Angouli'me,  was  scalded  with  boiling  oil,  and 
pierced  with  dagger  strokes.*    Heaven  is  lilled  with 
our  lioly  confessors  ;    but   hoAv  disgraceful    to  the 
lnnd  of  rruncc  is  sucli  barbarity  !  Our  enemies  and 
murderers  are  distinguished  from  us  by  no  aj  i:a- 
rent  sign,  neither  of    language    nor  of   bearing  ; 
they  have  the  same  laws,  manners,  and  even  air. 
.      .      .     Alas  I    they  arc  of  the  same  blood  and 
the  same  race  !    .     .     .     I  jiavo  learned  that  our 
brother   Fran<;ois  is  witli  the  impious  band  wh  i't 
has  tilled  our  city  witii  blood  ami  carnage  ;   I  en- 
deavored to  see  him,  urged  by  the  natural  frie:.dship 
of  al)rotherand  by  the  holy  all'ection  of  u  Clnis- 
tian  ;   but  he  avoided  me,  and  has  left   the  city. 
.     .     .     ]Vight    and   day  I  besiege    Heaven  with 
my  prayers  for  this  lost  sheep  of   tlic  ilock  ;   T  in- 
voke in  his  behalf   the  martyrs  of  our  own   time, 
whose  blood  has  been  shed  by  him  and  liis  ;    that 
blood  is  always  beneath  the  altar,  crying  out ;  but, 
like  that  of  the  most  sweet  Jesus,  it  cries  for  mercy 
and  not  for  vengeance  !    Pray,  also,  ]?rother  Thi- 
baut,  for  our  Holy  Mother  Church,  for  our  native 
land  of  Prance,  for  Francois,  and  for  me,  a  misera- 
ble sinner,  who  am  and  always  will  be,  in  our  Lord, 
*'  Your  affectionate  brother, 

'•BiioTiiEi:  Clai'DE, 
rnwortiiy  Keligious  of  the  Order  of  St.  Francis.'' 
•"  "Thcatrn  ties  CruaulO  clca  llirt'tiiiucs,"  i>age  ;3~'. 


m 


133 


77n-  Old  C lust. 


Tliirf  li'llir  only  coiilirnicil  to  iiuuli  fatal  now*. 
Tlio  battle  of  J)i-eux,  gained  by  tlio  Diiko  of  Guiso 
oviT  the  Prince  of  Condi',  somewhat  consoled  the 
licarts  of  the  Catholics ;  bnt  soon  the  nuu-der  of 
tliat  liero,  asMS^inaled  ])y  Jean  Poltrot,  at  the  in- 
stigation, as  it  was  thought,  of  CJaspar  do  Coligny, 
marred  the  general  joy.     We  i)assed  long  years  thus 
in  civil  discord  and   nproar,  war  by  land  and  sea, 
pillage,    cruelly,    and     heavy   state    troubles,    the 
liatred  between  Catholics  ;::id  Protestants  ever  in- 
creasing; and  that  which  the  ])eoplc  of  Paris  bore 
to  (ho  lluguenols  knew  no  hounds  when  they  saw 
them  once  more  supported  and  uphohl  by  the  court. 
A  pacific  edict  was   ]>ublislied  in  the  year  1570, 
which  granted  to  the  Calvinists  the  free  exercise  of 
their  rehgion,  and  four  jjlaces  of  safety,  La  Rochclle, 
^fontanban,  Cognac,  and  La  Cliarite.     The  young 
King  gave  the  liand  of  his  sister  ]Margarct  of  Valois 
to  Henry,  King  of  Xavarre.     Admiral  Coligny,  fol- 
lowed by  an  inijiosing  retinue  of  Huguenot  lords, 
appeared  in  Paris,  and  was  received  by  King  Charles 
with  honors  wliicli  Avould  hardly  have  been  granted 
to  the  preserver  of  iho  menarchy.     This  spectacle 
displeased  the  faithful  citizens.     lUit  soon  the  ru- 
luorwent  round  that  the  admiral   threatened  the 
King  and  Queen  with  anew  civil  war,  beeauso  their 
majesties  made  some  opposition  to  his  dcnnmds, 
unjust  and  unreasonable  as  they  were ;  that,  Avliea 
tlic   King  would  not  to  please   him  declare   war 
against  the  King  of  Spain,  he  liad  the  audacity  to 
tell  him  in  open  council  that,  if  his  nuijesty  Avas  not 
Avilling  to  make  war  ;;i  Flanders  against  Philip  IF., 
ho  c  )uld  rest  as-^ureil  that  b  i  would  soon  have  it  in 
Franco  against  his  own  subjects. 


1  fatal  iiow.s 
•like  of  Guiso 
coiisok'd  tho 
10  imi.'dor  of 
i)t,  at  tlio  in- 
r  do  Coligiiy, 
n_<f  years  llms 
and  uiul  Koa, 
roubles,    tlio 
iants  over  iu- 
[)f  Paris  boro 
icn  tliey  saw 
by  the  court, 
0  year  1570, 
?o  excrciso  of 
L;i  Rochclle, 
The  young 
irct  of  ^"alois 
Coligny,  fol- 
;ucnot  lords, 
ving  Charles 
been  granted 
liis  spectacle 
soon  the  ru- 
reatencd  the 
jceauso  their 
is  demands, 
;  that,  Avliea 
declare   Avar 
!  audacity  to 
icsty  Avas  not 
t  riiilip  IF., 
m  have  it  in 


T/u-  Old  Clust. 


»^3 


And  the  King  said  to  certain  of  hi.^  old  followers 
that,  seeing  himself  thus  (iireatcncd,  his  Jiair  stood 
on  cud.  The  Parisian  2)ooi)le,  amongst  whom  those 
rumors  spread,  knew  "o  bounds  in  their  fury  against 
the  sectaries.  The  i)ersonal  ([uarrel  between  the 
Duke  of  Guise  and  Admiral  do  Coligny  fed  still 
more  those  great  dissensions  ;  every  one  foresaw  that, 
from  tho  haughty  pride  ot  tho  Huguenots,  tho 
hatred  wherewith  the  King,  the  Queen-mother,  and 
tho  Duke  d'Anjou  regarded  them,  and  that  which 
the  two  houses  of  Guise  and  Ciiatillon  boro  each 
other,  some  evil  effects  would  follow.  I  was  warned 
by  the  dean  of  tlia  corporation  of  goldsmiths  that  a 
certain  number  of  citizens  and  others  had  been  sent 
for  to  the  L)uvre,  Avherc  a  surprise  Avas  feared 
during  tho  night,  and  he  advised  mo  to  keep  in  tho 
house. 

This  Avas  on  the  2tili  of  August,  1573.  ;My 
brother  Claude,  then  gmirdian  of  the  Convent  of 
Nantes,  had  obtained  permission  from  his  su])eriors 
to  spend  somo  days  with  inc.  AVc  kept  watch,  as 
anxiously  as  though  tho  storm  Avero  passing  over 
our  heads  ;  my  wife,  also  uneasy,  had  put  aside  her 
si)inning-whecl,  a;id  Avas  silently  saying  her  rosary. 
Brother  Claudo  Avas  reciting  in  au  undor-tono  tlio 
matins  of  his  breviary.  I  was  looking  over  my  ac- 
count-book, but  my  mihd  Avas  elsewhere.  .  .  . 
Part  of  the  niglit  had  already  passed.  My  brother 
Avas  no  longer  praying,  he  Avas  thinking,  ami  sud- 
denly he  said  to  me  : 

"I  am  going  out,  going  to  Bctliisy  Street,  to 
Avarn  tho  admiral  that  something  is  being  ])!otted 
against  him.  ...  I  feel  myself  urged  to  give 
liim  thij  Avaruiug,  for  a  sudden  and  violent  death 


124 


TItc  01,1  Chest. 


would  fiiul  hiin  ])orli:ii),s  iiiipciiilciif.  .  .  .  Tlio 
lioiir  i)mlicte(l  l.y  tlio  IV-ru  (hvlloL  U  ni-ur,  hut 
the  mercy  of  God  is  frrcutcr  (liau  our  (n-iiiios." 

I  (laivd  not  reply,  f(u-  1  felt  his  authorilv  as 
tliat  of  an  older  hrolher  and  u  jirie.st; ;  and, 
l)t',«ides,  wliy  kIioukI  I  oppose  him  when  ho  me- 
ditated H)  holy  an  ac'tion  ?  I  wished  to  follow 
liim,  and  my  good  wife  understood  my  desire,  for 
she  said  : 

''Tliil)aut,  I  fear  n()thin<:j  hero  in  our  own  houso  ; 
wo  iiro  known  as  honest  people  and  faithful  Catho- 
lit'H.^  .  .  .  AVhatevcr  hapi)cns,  I  shall  not  he 
iifi'aitl.  ...  Go  with  your  hrofher,  then. 
.     .     .     Have  no  fears  for  me.     .     .     ." 

►SosayinsT,  she  tied  a  white  handkerchief  on  my 
iirm,  accordinrr  to  the  advice  which  the  dean  of  our 
guild  had  given  us  in  the  morning, she  gave  mo  the 
liorn-lantern,  and  wo  went  out  into  the  dark  and 
starless  night.  The  streets  were  deserted,  hut  i)eo- 
plc  were  still  up  in  many  houses,  as  we  saw  hy  the 
light  that  shone  from  the  windows.  .  .  .There, 
was  deep  silence.  .  .  .  Suddenly  the  groat  hell 
of  Saint  Germain  FAuxcrrois  hcgan  to  toll  loud  I  v, 
and  immediately  there  arose  a  fearful  tumult  around 
ns.  .  .  .  Many  houses  opened;  soldiers,  citi- 
zens, constables,  fdlcd  the  streets,  uttering  threats 
and  cries  of  death  ;  shots  from  guns  and  ])istols 
were  heard  ;  and  by  the  light  of  torches  were  seen 
passing  troops  of  armed  men,  crying  : 

"  Death  !  j)eath  to  the  Admiral !  A^ve  la 
Messe ! " 

•'Great  God!"  whispered  my  brother,  "jiardon 
those  who  use  the  name  of  thy  sacritico  of  jKiaco 
hastening  to  murder  and  carnage  !    Oh  !  what  evil 


W 


rih-  ou  cihst. 


•  .  .  Tlin 
i<  ni'iir,  hut 
I"  ('riiii"s.'' 
iuilliority  us 
I'rio.sl  ;  iuid, 
lu'i)  ]k)  me- 
ed to  follow 
ly  (kvsiro,  for 

'  own  houso  ; 
til  fill  CiUho- 
iliiill  not  1)0 
>(lioi',    then. 

;l)ief  on  my 
(lean  of  our 
gave  mo  ( lio 
10  dark  and 
cd,  Imt  peo- 
«aw  l)y  tlio 
.     .     'I'licro 

10  jnri-(.;lt   hell 

toll  loudly, 
nult  around 
ildiors,  citi- 
•iiig  threats 
and  ])istol8 
)3  wcro  soon 


I2!i 

Uiit  let  \\A  lias- 


y 


ive    lii 


r,  ''i)ardon 
M  of  imaco 
!  what  evil 


counsol  there  has  heeii.     .     . 
ton,  hrother  Tiiiliaiit.     .     .     ." 

We  reached  the  Une  Bi'thisy — it  as  li/^dit  x\<  day, 
and  with  one  ghuu;e  wo  saw  that  \S\i  had  ooiiie  too 
late.  Tlie  dwelliii;^  of  the  admiral  had  heen  entered 
hy  ihc  KoldierH  and  followers  of  the  Duke  of  Giiiso. 
AVo  went  into  tho  court-yard.  There  wo  found  him 
whom  Wk?  had  como  to  seek  :  the  corpse  of  tho  ad- 
miral lay  on  tho  iiavemeni,  piereed  witli  several 
wounds,  and  tho  hori\)r  of  death  was  on  the  ])ale, 
contracted  face.  Tho  prophecy  of  Father  Grellot 
Ava.s  aocomplishod.  Not  far  from  him  lay  tho  hody 
of  Srdi;i;ny,  his  son-in-1;  ,  and  tho  remains  of  some 
of  Ihoir  Horvants. 

"  Wo  have  soon  enougli,"  said  my  brother.  "  Lot 
r.s  go  ;  these  .soldiers  would  not  listen  to  words  of 
l)eaco.  Ljt  us  go.  God  may  perhaps  jircsont  to 
us  some  other  good  work  for  tho  glory  of  his 
luime." 

We  set  out  again.  Armed  bands  paraded  tho 
streets  and  ivmsaeked  tho  houses  which  were  known 
to  belong  to  llngueiiots.  ^ly  brother's  gown,  and 
tho  white  scarf  which  T  wore  on  my  arm,  protected 
us  from  their  insults,  but  both  of  us  felt  our  hearts 
Avrung  at  seeing  the  terrible  vengeance  taken  by 
that  infuriate  mob,  that  soldiery  without  chiefs  and 
without  restraint.  As  wo  ncared  the  Seine,  tho 
crowd  diminished,  the  cries,  lilaspliemies,  musket- 
shots  all  died  away  in  the  distance,  and  we  could 
scarcely  see  from  afar  the  rod  light  of  tho  torches. 
As  we  turned  into  a  deserted  street  a  faint  and 
painful  moan  roasthed  our  oars  ;  my  lirother  ran 
forward,  I  followed  him,  iind  by  tho  light  of  tho 
lantern  wo  found  on  the  pavement  a  man  who 


izO 


riw  Old  Chest. 


would  Imvo  liiid  iill  tiiL'  iippoaniiicoof  (Initli,  wcro 
it  not,  (liat  Ion;,'  kI^'Ikj  ciimo  from  his  lips  ami  ai.- 
noiiiicf.l  llia(  litMvas  .still  livini,'  ami  siillVrin','.  I 
raised  liim  in  my  arm,-.  I  throw  a.sido  llic'cap 
whlt'li  coviuvd  lii,s  fair. 

"Oh  !"  said  ho,  "  how  I  HufTor  !" 

"Knowost  thou  that  vuici",  brother  Tliiliaut?*' 
cried  Claude. 

"Alas!"  said  I,  "it  i,s  the  voice  of  our  poor 
Franyois  ! '' 

Claude  brou;,dit  tlio  lantern  olo.<!o  to  the  face  of 
llio  wounded  man,  and  in  .spite  of  tiio  blood  from 
Ids  wounds  und  hi.«)  deathly  j)aIlor,  we  reeofrnizcd 
our  poor  brother.     He  had  swooned  away.     With- 
out  speak  in;,'  or  lo.^ii-.cr  j,iiy  time,  wo  toiik  up  tho   . 
licavy  and  inanimate  body;  and,  God  gi\■in.^'   u3 
fitrongth,  wo  bore  it,  without  stoi)ping  for  breath, 
to  tho  threshold  of  my  liou.-ie.     ^\^  good  wile  was 
waiting  for  u.s  in  deadly  terror.     Slie  opened  tlio 
door  at  my  signal,  and  it  was  instantly  decided  tliat. 
in  order  to  conceal  him  tho  better  from  servants 
and  neiglibor.-i,  we  would  place  my  brother  at  tho 
back  of  tho  nou.so,  in  a  rooni  which  had  l)ecn  unin- 
liabited  since  our  mother's  death.     AV'e  laid  liim  on 
the  bed,  and  my  wife  and  my  brother  sought  out 
Li,s  wounds  and  endeavored  to  dress  them."  Alas! 
it  was  pitiful  to  sec  this   hand.somo  and  vigorous 
young  man  reui.-ii  thus  to  his  homo,  dying  and 
l)ierccd  with  wounds! 

"Is  there  any  liojie  ?"  asked  I. 

My  Avife   turned  towards   me  wltli  a  mournful 
glance,  and  brotlier  Claude  e.vclaimed  : 

"  Let  us  invoke  God  that  tho  soul,  at  least,  may 


The  Ol,f  Chi'st. 


loath,  wcro 
JIM  ami  ati- 
illVriii','.  I 
lo  tlu'   cap 

Phihaiit?" 

'  our  |i()(»r 

111'  fai'o  of 
»loo(l  from 
rooofriiizcd 
ly.     Wi(  li- 
nk up  tlio 
gi\■iu.^r   \u 
or  breath, 
1  wil'c  was 
pCMC'd   tlio 
icloil  tliat. 
1  HtTvauts 
UT  at  tho 
)ecn  uniu- 
i(l  hiiii  oil 
)uglit  out 
n.     Alas ! 
1  vijrorous 
lying  ami 

mournful 
oast,  may 


be  savcil  !  0  Ciml  of  iinTcy,  let  imt  thr  \v()rli  of 
tiiv  iiamls  pcii-h  lliii-  !" 

rraui/ois  iii;i(K'  (^iiim*  movcinciit.  lie  ^'roaiicd 
iiMi]  niuttcii'd  soitic  ln'oki'ii  words: 

"1  HJiall  not  dii'  wiliiout  <li'ft'iidin<;  myself,"  said 
lie,  making  an  olTorL  willi  lii-i  feclili'  hand,  lus  if  to 
repulso  H  Ihreatoning  ciioinv.  '*Ahl  ah  I  I  liavii 
wounded  you  ;  but.  J  have  also  pot  luy  sliarc  .  .  , 
inv  death-Mow." 

Ilofell  li;ii'k  exhausted  ;  but  he  strove  lo  iiiurmur 
the  (M'y  fainiliiir  to  the  soldiers  of  Coiuh'  : 

"Sweet  is  danger  for  Christ  and  for  oiir  country  ! 
Vivo  rKvangiie  !•:■  .  .  .  Down  with  the  (lui- 
sards  !  I  detest  tlie  ?.I.iss  and  JniageH  !  Oh  I  how 
Isulfer," 

His  palo  face  l)eeanio  contr.ieLeil ;  hi.s  citld  iiaiid 
grojied  about  tho  ([uilt ;  it  Hcenied  as  if  death  had 
passed  over  his  livid  face,  and  that  nis  soul  was 
witnessing  an  awful  spectacle. 

"O  (Jod  !  (lod  of  mercy  V  cried  Claude,  throw- 
ing himself  on  his  knees,  "by  thy  blood,  by  thy 
wounds,  by  thy  cross,  delay,  delay  his  death  !  Give 
my  brother  one  i  omoiit  of  lif<'  and  id"  reason  to  ab- 
jure his  errors  !  Lord,  I  oll'er  myself  entirely  to 
thee.  ...  I  have  dreaded  death.  I  have 
feared  tho  torments  which  I  saw  my  brethren  ;-ulTer  ; 
but  now  I  accept  thoin  ;  I  olTer  myself  as  u  \ictiin 
for  him!  Do  not  spare  me,  Lord  I  Here  are  my 
limbs,  here  is  my  blood,  my  life.  .  .  .  'I'hey 
are  but  little  for  the  salvation  of  this  soul;  but 
thou  art  so  good  and  merciful  that  thou  wilt  not 
reject  my  oll'ering.     Mother  of  mercy,  thou,  angel 

*"  Tlio  rjospol  for  ever  !" 


JS 


///.  (U.I  tin  St. 


lii 


•  if  |i(';i('i',  wliii  ui't'iH'Ml  witli  ii.'j.  |ii;i\  !  |ini\  I  llicrc 
in  yi't  (imo !" 

I  iviiiiiiiu'tl  .Hill-Ill,  inotiidili'HH,  U'twoi'ii  in  •  two 
lirollii  r.-i.  So  |i(i\\('i-f'iil  ii  pniycr  cinild  mil  n  inaiii 
iinlii'iiril.  My  wii'c  wd  l•'l•llllc;(li^^■l  lip-i  and  I(mi|iIi'.s 
with  !i  fiinliiil ;  he  sij,'lii'(l,  his  cyt'U  (ipciied,  their 
(liiii  ^diuici'  \V!is  cahii. 

'•  Wiu'iy  am  I  ?"  aslu'd  he,  in  a  (|uit'l  Miicc. 

"In  your  father's  hoiist',"  said  I,  ciiilpraciii^'  him, 
"hclwoc'ii  your  two  hrothcr-i,  Claiidi'  and  'rhil)aiit." 

'•  F'^it  possihlo,"' said  iio,  '"it  is  yon  !  Oil  !  wiiat  h 
frijihlfiil  (hcain  I  liavc  jii.st  had.  ...  I  .saw 
myself  Hununoiicd,  judcri'd,  and  condcmiu'd  .  .  . 
damiu'd  !  and  I  still  live." 

'•  My  hrotluT,"  oricd  Claude,  with  the  iiispinition 
of  II  projihi'l,  "my  Itelowd  lirotluT,  you  still  live. 
Clod  has  granted  yon  this  moment.  It  ia  tlio 
moment  of  grace,  the  time  of  repentance.  God 
uwaits  to  condemn  or  altsolve  you.  Ueiiounce  your 
errors,  iiiul  cast  yourself  into  the  arms  of  Jesus 
Christ,  open  to  receive  yim."  .  .  .  The  dying 
man  looked  at  us  all ;  we  were  wec]iiiig  and  praving. 

"I  may  ho  pardoned,"'  murmured  he  I'eehly  ; 
"yet  I  have  sinned  much.  I  h,.ve  hlood  on  my 
hands.  .  .  .  Oh  1. hut  I  liavc  done  evil  since  I 
quitted  this  house,  tiiis  happy,  innocent  house  ! 
Once,  I  helieved,  I  jirayed.  .  .  .  For  long  years 
I  liave  not  prayed,  for  I  no  longer  hclicved.  .  .  . 
My  (iod,  take  pity  on  me.  .  .  If  there  was  a 
Catholic  jiriest  here  !''.., 

"  I  am  n  priest,"  cried  Claude.  "  I  can  hear  and 
absolve  you.'' 

lie  bent  over  Fran<;ois,  holding  him  in  an  em- 
brace.    We  left  the  room.     The  voice  of  our  poor 


The  Old  Chi  St, 


129 


|ir;i\  I  tliciv 

('fi\   III ,'  two 
iiiil   n  iiiiiiii 

IK'Ut'tl,  their 

-  voice. 
niciiiMf  liini, 
il  Tl.il.aiit." 
Oil  !  wiiiitji 
,  .  I  .saw 
nod    .    .    . 

iiiHpinitiou 
II  still  live. 
It  is  tlio 
iiiiee.  God 
loiinoo  your 
IS  of  .TesiH 
Tlio  dyiiif,' 
lid  pnivinp. 
he  feehly; 
aod  on  my 
evil  since  I 
ent  liuusc  ! 
r  long  years 
•ed.  .  .  . 
there  was  a 

\\\  hear  uiul 


Kraiivoi:'  conld  he  heard,  wilh  that  ol"  Claude,  who 
Hpoke  f,'.iilly  and  witli  authority.  At  leutfth.  I  MW 
my  hrother  nolemnly  raise  his  hand  and  make  the 
si;,'!!  of  I  lie  (•l•os^  over  llie  dyin;:  man,  |iroiiouiH  in^' 
in  a  di.-tinet  voice  llie  lioly  wonls  ol'  ahsoliiliou.  I 
iipproaelied  ;  Frunvois  waa  calm  ;  he  had  his  hands 
cdasped,  and  seemed  sis  il'  luayiiiK  inward'y.  Ho 
miid  to  u.-i,  speaking  with  dilliculty  : 

♦<I  invoke  the  sweet  Mother  of  (iod  ;  in  the 
midst  ol"  my  errors  I  had  never  altogether  foi-gotlen 
hei".     Our tlier  loved  her  so  much.     .     .     ." 

He  could  not  continue  ;  his  sti-eiiglh  was  failing 
rapidly  ;  the  agony  hegan  ;  it  was  shoi't,  l>iit  sevei'e, 
iind  when  the  early  dawn  came  into  the  room,  the 
repentant  soul  of  our  poor  brother  had  appeared 
before  (Iod. 

AVo  i)!isscd  the  ne\t  day,  sad  and  recollected,  be- 
side tlio  remains  of  our  poor  Fran<;<>if«,  unheeding 
tlie  agitation  of  the  iimh,  who  went  on  to  Moiitfaii- 
<;on  imd  along  the  Seine,  to  sco  tho  corpses  (.f  the 

Huguenots. 

Towards  evening,  t  he  o.'lleers  of  just  ice  puttlisiied, 

with  sound  of  trumpet,  an  edict,  in  the  name  of 
tho  King,  hy  which  lie  forbade  "those  of  the  guard 
nnd  otlicers'of  t'.ie  city  to  take  up  arms  or  make 
prisoners,  under  pain  of  death  ;  but  that  all  should 
be  ])laccd  in  the  hands  of  justice,  and  that  they 
should  retire  to  their  closed  houses,  which  would 
appease  the  fury  of  the  ]ieople.  and  give  si'veral  of 
them  time  to  retire  from  the  country."* 

This  edict  served  to  restore  public  poacc  ;  I  had 


in  an  ein- 
f  our  poor 


*  Rco  lia  Popolinii'^rp.  n,  rrntostnnt  liirtnrinn,  author  ot 
♦'  La  Vrayo  ot  eixtitre  Uistoirc  dei  iluruiors  Troublu.s." 


^ 


130 


rite  Old  Chest. 


our  brother  buried  Avitli  tlic  in-ayors  of  tlie  Church, 
iuid  with  the  money  found  on  ]iim  I  made  a  four- 
didion  of  Masses  i'or  tlie  reitosc  of  Ids  soul. 

A  fuw  days  after,  my  brother  Oluude  left  us. 
Endn-aciiig  me,  lie  said  : 

"  My  dearest  brother,  I  believe  that  I  am  biddin.£r 
you  a  last  farewell.  Something  tells  me  in  the 
dei)th  of  my  soul  that  the  sacrifice  which  I  offered 
to  t;od  for  our  dear  Franyois  lias  been  accepted, 
therefore  I  do  not  expect  ever  to  have  the  hapjiiness 
of  seeing  you  again  in  this  worid  ;  but  here  below, 
or  before  God,  I  shall  never  forgot  you." 

He  bles.sed  us  all  and  went  away.     I  never  saw 
lum  again  on  earth,  God  having  accepted  the  obla- 
lation  of   the  just  in  beliall:  of  the  sinner.     My 
worthy  brother  was  sent  as  visitor  to  the  convents 
of  his  order  in  Langiiedoc,  wliere  the  Huguenots 
had  revived  tlieir  former  fury.     Ue  fell  into  the 
hands  of  a  i)arty  of  German  troopers,  who,  after 
having  subjected  him  to  all  manner  of  insults  and 
outrages,  and  obtaining  from  him  only  words  of 
faith,  of  courage,  and  of  benediction,  tliey  j.ut  him 
to  deatli  with  every  imaginable  cruelty,     lie  ren- 
dered uj)  his  blessed  soul  to  God,  singing  the  Credo, 
with  a  fervor  aiul  i)iety  which  overcame  the  horror 
of  torture.     Such  Avas  the  account  of  his  glorious 
end,  from  a,  companion  wlio,  terrified  at  sight  of 
the  troopers,  had  hid  in  the  brushwood. 

The  Provincial  of  the  Capuchin  Fathers  wrote 
me  this  account,  exhorting  mo  to  give  glory  to  God, 
which  I  did  amid  my  teare.  I  had  a  little  monu- 
me]it  erected  to  my  two  brothers,  in  the  Churcli  of 
Saint  Eusface,  near  the  second  pillar  from  the 
choir.     On  it  v.as  inscribeil  : 


^ 


The  Old  Chest. 


^31 


;he  Clnireli, 
ade  ii  four- 
Ill, 
de  left  us. 

am  biddiniT 
mo  ill  the 
::h  I  offered 

1  accei)tcd, 

2  liapjiiiu'ss 
licro  below, 

never  saw 
(1  the  obla- 
11  nor.     My 
0  convents 
Ilugiienots 
11  into  tlio 
Avho,  iifter 
iisults  and 
)'  words  of 
■y  jtut  him 
lie  ren- 
tho  (U-cdi,, 
the  horror 
is  glorious 
t  sight  of 

lers  wrote 
rj  to  God, 
(Ic  monii- 
Chiireli  of 
from   the 


PUOTIIEll  C'LAniE  DUCIIAISNE, 

PIUEST  OK  Till-;   OUDF.I"   OS"  CAPTCIIINS, 

PUT   T(1  DEATH    TIlUUl'i;!!    ITATUED  OF  UELIGION,    THE  •JIlTH   OF 

Jl-NK,    iriT."). 

■lAY  0;)U  UECFIVE  HIM  IN  HIS  flL'iHY. 

FRANCOIS  DLCHAISXE, 

SUD-OFFICEIl  IN  THE  AllMY  O:-'  THE  I'KINCE  OK  CONHK, 

WHO   DIED  ON  TIIK   NIOHT  OK  Al'Ol'ST  t!4TII,    15i;J. 

MAY  OOD  HAVE  MEl.CY  ON  IIIM. 

Since  then  no  remarkable  event  has  occnrreil  in 
my  family.  I  took  part,  as  all  good  rrenelimeu 
should,  in  the  Holy  League,  created  to  defend  the 
most  Christian  kingdom  against  the  temporal  and 
spiritual  tyranny  of  the  Huguenots,  and  against 
the  bad  government  of  King  Henry  the  Third, 
•who  seemed  to  bo  Avorthy  of  the  throne,  until  ho 
was  seated  upon  il.  Wo  sought  to  maintain  the 
ancient  laws  and  religion  of  the  monarchy,  and  we 
opposed  the  impiety  which  was  caused  by  the  Pro- 
testant confederation. 

The  indolence  and  the  vices  of  the  King,  the 
near  extinction  of  the  race  of  Yalois,  the  right  of 
succession  devolving  upon  the  heretical  King  of 
Navarre,  the  troubles  which  threatened  Franco  in 
the  near  future,  tilled  with  alarm  the  hearts  of 
good  Vrenehmen  and  faithail  Catholic,-.  Some 
Avould  have  raised  to  the  throne  the  Duke  of  Guise, 
a  descendant  of  Charlemagne,  and  a  prince  so 
noble  and  so  valiant  that  all  the  other  princes  seemed 
as  commoners  beside  him  ;  others  hoped  that  the 
blood  of  Saint  Louis  would  not  lose  its  rights,  and 
that  one  day  the  King  of  Xavarre  would  return  to 
the  faith  of  his  fathers.  I  was  amongst  these  latter. 
The  death  of  the  Duke  of  Guite,  and  the  Cardinal 


132 


The  (V,/  C/nsr. 


11  ! 


!  i 


do  Lorraine,  liis  iirollior,  wlio  Avoro  troaclipn.iisly 
iissassinatod  ))y  order  of  the  Kiii,ir,  lirouplit  to  its 
liei^lit  the  luitred  wliieii  tlie  peojde  hore  to  th-hist, 
of  tlicVidois.  ThoS()rhoiiiiean<l  the  T'arlianient, 
deelared  liiiii  to  liave  forfeited  liis  riglit  to  tlio 
cro'..-n.  lie  niardiod  against  Paris  to  avenge  Iiini- 
sclf  on  the  head  and  Jieart  of  tlio  League  ;^l)ut  lie 
was,  as  is  known,  assassinated  at  Saint  Cloud  by 
the  Iiand  of  tiie  unfortunato  Jaeques  Clement'; 
and,  dying,  lie  declared  that  he  left  the  throne  to 
the  King  of  Xavarre,  henceforth  Henry  IV. 

The  League,  faithful  to  its  oath,  would  not  re- 
cognize the  heretic  King.     The  victory  Avhieh  he 
gained  at  Ivry  over  tlic  Duko  of  Mayenco  only  in- 
creased the  resolution  of  the  Parisians  to  let'liim 
lay  siege  to  their  city,  to  sutfer  hunger  and  every 
danger,  to  maintain  the  head  of  the  kingdom  in  his 
fidelity  to  the  service  of  God.     On  the  8th  of  May, 
1500,   the  King  of  Xavarro  laid  siege  to  Paris. 
There  was  only  wheat  for  one  month  ;  all  the  lords, 
prelates,  and  rich  or  well-to-do  jiersons  came,  with 
extraordinary  liberality,   to  the  assistance   of  the 
poor ;  but  soon  we  all  sulTered  alike.     The  wheat 
failing,  wo  ate  oats  in  l)read  and  in  broth  ;  on  the 
butchers'  stalls  was  sold  only  the  flesh  of  horses 
and  dogs,  and  the  poor  ])ulled  uj)  the  grass  which 
grow  up  through  the  pavement,  and  boiled  it.     All 
arountl  us  was  a  frightful  scene  of  misery,  disease, 
and  want;  \\\\i,  uoliles  and  citizens,  rich  and  poor, 
wo  preferred  to  die  rather  than  give  up  the  city  to 
a  heretical  prince,  and  the  kingdom  to  the  errors 
of  Cah  in.     '♦  The  martyrdom  of  hunger,"  said  we 
to  our  wives  and  children,  '-is  no  less  meritorious 
than  that  of  the  sword  !  " 


jK^Iionuisly 

i^rlit  to  its 

(<)  the  last 

'iirliaiiuMiL 

flit    to    tl'.L' 

engc  Iiiiii- 
0  ;  but  lio 

Cloiul  by 

Cli'nieiit ; 

throne  to 

IV. 

Id  not  rc- 

Avliicli  lie 
0  only  in- 
to lot  him 
and  every 
loin  in  his 
h  of  .May, 

to  Paris, 
the  lords, 
lime,  with 
'0  of  the 
Che  wheat 
I ;  on  the 
of  horses 
ass  which 
d  it.  All 
',  disease, 
md  pool-, 
ho  city  to 
he  errors 
"  said  we 
jritorious 


T/u'  Old  Cltcst. 


^11 


Tho  siejre  lasted  till  tlic  Hutli  of  Aii(-is(,  and  was 
n  memoralilo  cxami)le.  I  had  risked  my  goods  to 
liny  at  a  high  jn-ico  tho  church  silver,  which  the 
jiastors  had  sold  to  distribnte  tho  price  thereof  to 
tho  i)0()r  peoi)lc,  and  my  fortune  never  recovered 
after  that  great  elTort  ;  Imt  I  esteem  them  well 
risked  and  well  sacrificed,  for  the  safety  of  religion 
and  the  relief  of  the  poor  of  Je.-ius  Christ. 

Tho  constancy  of  the  Parisians, 'imitated  l)y  the 
inhabitants  of  liouen,  boro  its  fruits,  and  opened 
tho  eyes  of  the  King  of  Xavarre.  He  abjured  his 
errors  on  the  2,")th  of  July,  in  the  year  loO.I.  Six 
months  after  he  Avas  consecrated  King  of  France, 
and  on  the  22d  of  .March,  1594,  he  inado  his  solemn 
entry  into  Paris,  which  had  now  Avon  its  King  to 
the  -faith  of  his  fathers,  to  the  faith  of  Clovis,  of 
Ciiarleniagne,  and  of  Saint  Louis,  so  that  tho  Most 
Christian  Kingdom  might  always  remain  the  first 
amongst  nations,  whose  throne,  like  that  of  Saint 
Peler,  has  never  been  profaned  by  heresy. 

So  ended  the  religious  wars,  whoso  most  bloody 
scenes  I  witnessed.  I  lost  in  them  two  beloved 
brothers,  and  a  great  portion  of  my  Avealth.  Often 
tho  young  people,  the  wags  of  my  quarter,  mock  at 
mc,  and  call  mc  the  Old  Lcagii-cr.  But  God  knew 
my  intention  and  my  love  for  Ins  law,  and  it  is  to 
his  justice  that  I  appeal  from  the  vain  accusations 
of  men. 

May  those  Avho  come  after  us  also  do  their  duty, 
and  support  the  monarchy  in  the  right  way  of  truth 
and  of  faith ! 


!l 


P^ 

^raBED! 

■  <^V^^^^" 

U^gBiyi^SBlpi 

AlII. 


THK     TKEASrUY-CLEKK — SEVENTEEKTII     CENTURV. 


Sixty  years  have  passed  f-incc  tlic  Old  Lc(ujuer 
recorded  tlio  troubles  of  the  limes  in  wliich  lie 
lived.  !N[y  fatlior,  who  as  a  citizen  of  Pai-is  took 
active  part  in  tlio  Fronde,  •wrote  notliinfr,  content- 
ing liiniself  witli  acting  in  favor  of  tlio  Parliament 
against  Ma/.arin.  lie  had  a  lively  recollection  of 
the  times  in  ■which  ho  lived,  and  ^pokc  of  tiiem 
■willingly,  and  niany  times  have  I  heard  him  relate 
lunvlio  had  witnessed  the  great  popular  movement 
lirovokcd  by  the  arrest  of  Counsellor  Bronssel :  tu- 
mult and  rebellion  spreading  through  the  i)opulous 
districts  of  Paris  as  far  as  the  Palais  IJoyal ;  Mar- 
shal do  la  Meilleraie,  sent  to  chastise  the  jieople, 
was  neui'ly  jjut  to  death  by  the  infuriate  crowd  ; 
the  coadjutor  of  (randy,  in  surplice  and  cope,  kneel- 
ing in  the  stream,  hearing  the  confestion  of  a  man 
whom  ^larshal  do  la  Jleilleraie  had  just  shot  down, 
and  by  this  ready  act  of  luiuiility  calming  the  mul- 
titude, and  seizing  the  nnirshal  by  both  hands,  to 
bring  him  to  the  Queen  and  to  the  canlinal.  lie 
had  witnessed  the  barricades,  the  siege  of  Paris,  and 
the  flight  ai  the  Saint  Antoine  gate ;  and  after 
having  condemned,  like  every  one  else,  ho  also  ap- 
plauded the  return  of  the  young  King  to  Paris  ;  and 
after  having  cried,  "  Down  with  !Mazarin  ! "  he  cried 

1U4 


The  Old  Chest. 


135 


CENTURy. 

Hd  Leaguer 
11  wliich  ho 
Piii-is  took 
ip,  content- 
Parliament 
ollection  of 
kc  of  tlieni 
[  him  relate 
•  movement 
ronsfscl :  tu- 
ic  i)oinilous 
Joyal ;  Mar- 
tlic  people, 
iatc  crowd  ; 
cope,  knecl- 
311  of  a  man 
shot  down, 
ng  tlie  mul- 
h  liands,  to 
"dinal.  lie 
f  Paris,  and 
;  and  after 
ho  also  ap- 
I  Paris  ;  and 
1 ! "  he  cried 


out  just  as  loudly,  "Long  live  the  cardinal  !"  A.s 
his  ollico  of  eourt-jc'weller  i)ut  him  in  connection 
with  many  important  persons,  he  pot  me  into  the 
treasury  department,  which  was  then  under  the 
control  of  ^[essiro  Nicholas  Foucpiet.  There  I  ad- 
vanced rapidly  enough,  and  soon,  being  initiated 
into  some  of  the  secrets  of  that  great  administra- 
tion, I  liecanic  convinced  that  the  Maniuis  d"Ef- 
fiat  spoke  truly  when  ho  compared  treasurers  and 
receivers-general  to  the  "cuttle-fish,  which  has  the 
art  of  stirring  up  llio  water  to  deceive  iho  eyes  of 
the  attentive  lisherman.'"  What  pieicingeyes  must 
he  have  had  to  discern  anything  in  tlio  dark  and 
muddy  waters  in  which  the  receipts  and  expenses 
were  tossed  about  !  After  the  cruel  disasters  of  the 
League,  the  religious  wars,  the  prodigality  of  (he 
Valois  i)rinces  to  their  favorites,  a  sterling  minister. 
Sully,  was  found,  who,  by  encouraging  agriculture 
and  commerce,  had  repaired  in  twelve  years  the 
disasters  of  half  a  century-.  "Tillage  and  pastur- 
age," said  tliis  able  man,  "are  the  two  sources  from 
which  France  is  nourished,  the  true  Peruvian  mines 
and  treasures."' 

But,  when  the  fatlicr  of  the  family  was  no  more, 
when  Henry  had  ]ierished  by  the  kiiife  of  llavaillac, 
and  when  Concini  had  replaced  Bully  in  llio  state, 
the  water  was  iigain  tro'.iiled.  However,  Provi- 
dence, favorable  to  empires,  ]iernutted  that  the 
great  Cardinal  Pichelieu  should  restore  financial 
order,  control  with  a  strong  hand  the  Huguenots 
and  the  great  lords,  and  bequeatli  to  his  successor, 
Mazarin,  u  kingdom  at  onco  rich  and  powerful. 
But  tlie  regency,  the  Fronde,  the  ministry  of  Ma- 
zarin,  once  more  diilurbcd  the  equilibrium  ;  the 


w 


\  i 


[ill 

ii 


111 


136 


T/u-  Old  Chest. 


j)ul)lio  rovoiuics  were  ninrtgagcd  for  tliicc  years,  tlio 
people  underwent  friglitfiil  miseries,  for  tiic  cardi- 
nal had  given  fifty  millions  to  his  family,  and  iho 
Superintendent  Fouquct  built  a  mansion  at  Vanx 
whose  splendor  eclipsed  that  of  the  royal  residences. 
Like  a  king,  he  gave  pensions  to  itarticular  persons  ; 
ho  had  men  at  his  beck  in  all  the  provinces,  who 
gave  him  an  account  of  i)ublic  affairs,  and  whom  ho 
made,  by  immense  bribes,  devoted  followers. 

It  was  evident  to  all  that  the  superintendent  was 
spending  sums  without  any  proportion  to  liis  fortune 
or  to  the  revenues  of  his  oflice.  But  wlio  would 
have  dared  to  disturb  this  powerful  and  formidable 
man,  who  was  accountable  to  the  King  alone  ? 

In  the  functions  of  my  oflice,  I  acquired  proof  of 
a  bat^c  transaction,  which  was  to  profit  only  Fou- 
quet  ami  some  of  the  followers  whom  he  gorged  at 
the  expense  of  the  King  and  the  country,  and  I 
ventured  in  the  first  heat  of  indignation  to  speak 
(if  it  openly.  The  report  of  this  reached  the  cars 
of  the  superintendent ;  ho  sent  for  me  to  liis  office, 
and  received  mc  with  the  affability  which,  apart 
from  his  wealth,  won  all  hearts  to  him. 

''You  have  been  imprudent,"  said  he,  "in 
speaking  to  your  associates,  or  even  to  your  most 
intimate  friends,  of  the  condition  of  public  affairs, 
and  I  would  have  reason  to  complain  of  you  since 
my  name  was  mixed  up  in  your  discourse.  You 
cannot  deny  it  ?  " 

"  Nor  is  such  my  intention,"  answered  I.  "  I  do 
not  conceal  it,  my  lord  ;  the  traflic  which  is  going 
on  around  us  has  shocked  me,  and  I  could  not  be 
silent  with  regard  to  it.  If  it  is  a  crime,  punish 
me  for  it." 


J. 


ICC  years,  the 
fur  tlic  cardi- 
nily,  and  the 
siou  at  Vaux 
al  rosiclcnccs. 
ular  persons  ; 
i-ovinccs,  who 
and  ■vvliom  lio 
lowers. 

ntcndeiit  was 
to  liis  fortune 
.it  wlio  -would 
lid  formidable 
g  alone  ? 
lired  i)roof  of 
ifit  only  Fou- 
I  lie  gorged  at 
nintry,  and  I 
ition  to  si)cak 
olicd  the  cars 
3  to  liis  office, 

wliicli,  apart 
n. 
said   lie,    "in 

to  your  most 
public  affairs, 
I  uf  you  since 
scourse.     You 

■red  I.  "I  do 
ivliicli  is  going 
I  could  not  bo 
crime,  punish 


Tin-  (^LU'Jit'st. 


1.37 


'•'I  could  do  so,  perhaps  ;  but  a  faithful  servant 
of  the  King  docs  noL  de.<crvo  bad  treatment.  The 
treasury,  it  is  true,  is  in  a  dejilorable  condition. 
The  state  is  overrun  Avith  debt ;  bnt  yet  neither  the 
interests  of  war  nor  the  dijdomatic  relations  arc 
endangered  for  an  instant  for  want  of  money,  for 
individuals  who  will  not  lend  to  the  state  will  lend 
to  me." 

I  dared  not  reply  ;  but  I  remembered  some  usu- 
rious interest  which  the  state  was  ])aying  on  tlicso 
loans  made  to  (he  superintendent,  lie  con- 
tinued : 

"  I  do  not  fear  enemies,"  said  he.  ''  In  a  posi- 
tion like  mine  they  are  not  lo  be  feared  ;  ))ut  I  like 
to  make  friends  for  myself,  and  I  wisli  you  to  bo 
amolig  the  number.  I  have  noticed  you  ;  your  ad- 
vancement shall  be  rapid,  your  fortune  sure,  I  will 
guarantee  ;  but,  in  my  turn,  I  desire  a  jiledgc  of 
yonr  fidelity." 

"  And  wliat  is  that,  my  lord  ?  " 

"  Some  persons  to  whom  I  have  done  a  service, 
and  who  were  grateful  to  me,  have  signed,  without 
my  asking  it,  engagements  .  .  .  something 
like  this." 

So  saying,  the  superintendent  opened  a  casket, 
drew  out  a  paper,  and  read  the  first  lin^s,  which  I 
give  here : 

"  I  promise  and  pledge  my  faith  to  my  lord  the 
Procurator-General,  Superintendent  of  the  Fin- 
ances, ami  Minister  of  State,  to  never  to  belong  to 
any  one  but  him,  to  whom  I  give  and  attach  myself 
to  the  last  degree,  and  I  promise  to  senc  him  gene- 
rally against  all  persons  'vithout  exception,  and  to 


il!  ; 


li  H 


138 


Tlii'  Olil  Chrst. 


It  , 


!    i 


1^   I  I 


I 
!  i 


!   i 


obey  him  nlono,  even  in  po  far  ns  to  hnvo  no  r-.n- 
iioction  with  llio.-c  to  Avlmm  he  ohjoclH."* 
Ho  went  no  furllior. 

'•  To  si-ni  Kuch  u  document,  Bir,"  exelainied  1, 
"  is  treason  to  the  state  1     I  have  heard  enough." 
Foufinct  regarded  me  with  11  minister  glance.       _ 
"Wouhlyoubecaimhlo  of  hctraving  me?     said 
he     "  Beware  ;  you  are  nothing.    I  can  either  k)ad 
YOU  with  hon.  ^  and  favors,  or  leave  you  to  die  un- 
known and     a-gotten,  in  the  depth  of  son.o  Bast.le. 
Those  better  born  than  you  have  jmicd  there  long 
before  death  came  to  deliver  them." 

Hearing  bim  speak  thus,  I  remembered  the  Gos- 
pel and  I  thought  of  the  tempter,  tl>e  enemy  of 
man,  who  Avas  offering  me  earthly  dignities  as  the 
price  of  my  deg;-adation.  I  am  only  an  obseuro 
citizen,  but  my  heart  felt  for  the  sufTermgs,  the 
tears,  the  blood  of  the  people,  which  would  luivo  to 
pay  for  this  fortune  that  ho  offered  me,  and  my 
conscience  withheld  me,  by  its  pleadings,  from  all 
participation  in  these  mysteries  of  shame  and  coi- 

"^'Tdo  not  fear  you  V  said  I;  "less,  perhnpP, 
than  you  fear  me.  An  accusation  of  peculation 
might  bring  even  a  minister  of  state  to  the  llace 
do    Greve  .     •     Remember    Sambaln(,ai,    re- 

member Concini !  When  the  King  know-s  to  uhat 
an  extent  he  has  been  deceived,  his  wrath  will  be 
fearful,  his  justice  terrible  !" 

i^Skctlon  ot  U.0  Com  ,»«Jcut  for  Iho  year  IMV ). 


The  OlilChcst. 


'39 


llilVO  ll'l  <'"ti- 

oxcliiinied  I, 
rd  onougli." 
r  glaiico. 
ng  nic  ?  "  siiiil 
;an  cither  loud 
,ou  to  die,  \\\\- 
'  Konio  Bastilo. 
icd  tlii'ie  long 

bcrcd  the  Goe- 
,  t  lie  enemy  of 
;igiiilics  as  the 
ily  iin  obsciiro 
siilTerings,  the 
would  liavo  to 
il  me,  and  my 
Jings,  from  all 
hamc  and  cor- 

'loss,  iierhapp, 
of  peculation 

0  to  the  Place 

ambalnvai,  rc- 
kiiows  to  -what 

,s  wrath  will  ho 


lis,  anil  signed,  ono 
other  liy  President 
dent  FoiKiuet'a  pn- 
•o  Clement  (in  tlio 
--arl845"). 


I  went  out,  lie  not  (!;irin,?  to  pto])  mo  ;  mix',  witli- 
oiit  lo.-s  ()!'  any  litiu'  1  ivpaired  to  Mr,  Colhi'it,  then 
C(minii,-.si()ii(r  dl'  rinanees.  and  a\  ho  \\\\\\  lnin  for 
some  time  niy  frii'nd  ami  protector.  I  revealed  to 
him  M-hat  liad  ]).is.<ed  ;  I  gave  liiiu  the  eviiU'iit 
proofs  uf  the  defaleation  of  wjiieli  I  accused  the 
supcrintcmlent. 

IIo  reflected  for  a  long  time,  and  ut  length 
answered  : 

"T  cm  under  ol)ligation.-5  to  the  superintendont, 
an  ..ink  I  liavo  ]»roved  to  liim  my  gratit-.d^;  by 
u,  .iUg  him  to  renounce  opei'atioiis  fo  dangerous  to 
his  own  lionor  and  injurious  to  the  inlere.-ts  of  the 
King  aiul  the  state;  he  would  not  listen  to  me; 
waste  and  j'illago  have  cudiniud  their  course;  I 
have-  l)roken  otf  my  connection  with  him.  God  is 
my  witness,  I  have  wo  desire  to  ruin  liim  or  to  raise 
myself  through  his  downfall ;  but  I  have,  above  all, 
at  heart  the  good  of  the  King,  the  safety  of  the 
state,  the  relief  of  the  poor  people,  and  what  you 
have  just  told  me  will  make  the  cup  which  is 
already  full  overllow.  I  tell  you  in  conlulcnce,  the 
King  is  tired  of  all  that  is  going  on  ;  he  knows  the 
falsity  of  the  finaneia.'  rejMU-ts  which  Foiujuet  jdaces 
before  his  eyes  every  month,  and  before  long  his 
justice  will  burst  upon  him.  As  iox  you,  you  have 
nothing  to  fear.     Keep  quiet  and  wait."' 

I  waited  accordingly,  aiul  I  was  a  witness  of  that 
great  catastrophe  which  caused  so  much  excitement 
in  the  court  and  in  tlic  city.  The  Session  of  the 
Breton  Stales  obliged  the  King  to  make  a  journey 
into  Xantes;  the  superintendent  followed  him. 
The  rumor  of  his  disgrace  ])egan  to  get  abroad  ;  he 
alone,  notwithstanding  the  warnings  of  his  friends, 


J 


I  !    , 
ii  i  i     ;  i 


i     \ 


i      i     I 

i  i    ill 


140 


77/i  (>/,/  Chi  St. 


reniiiinoil  iiKTCiliilmiH.  Jlo  was  workiiif,'  wiili  tin 
King  a.H  usual,  and  tlum^rlil  liiuuolf  foeuio  ( 1'  l.i-; 
fiivor,  when  iM.  J)'Arta;:ii:iii,  caiiliiin  <'f  MUibktt- 
ccrp,  uuulo  liim  prisoner  in  tlin  Kin<,''s  iianu',  rr.il 
brought  him  to  llio  ('iisth>  of  Angers,  amid  tlie 
llircalH  and  impreeations  of  the  crowd.  Tlio  realfi 
v.-crc  put  on  his  papers,  liis  family  was  banii'ihed 
from  court,  and  his  trial  immediately  began.  The 
first  count  of  the  indielmeut  was: 

Tluit  rou(inei  was  aeeuKcd,  1st,  of  having  written 
u  plan  of  wliat  his  relatives  and  friends  should  do 
for  him  in  case  he  was  ojtpresscd. 

'.'d.  Of  having  fortified  his  castle  of  Belle  Isle, 
and  placed  cannon  therein. 

3d.  Of  having  had  the  government  of  Concar- 

iicau. 

4th.  OC  having  received  the  written  contract  of 
various  persons  i)ledging  themselves  to  be  absolutely 
devoted  to  his  interests. 

5th.  Of  having  made  supposed  loans  without 
necessity,  jlO  as  to  be  entitled  to  draw  interest. 

Cth.  Of  having  made  advances  to  the  King  of 
money,  which  was  against  the  rules,  being  himself 
director. 

Tth.  Of  having  mixed  the  King's  money  with  his 
own,  and  used  it  for  his  domestic  purposes. 

Sth.  Of  being  interested  in  farms  and  leases, 
under  assumed  names,  and  of  having  acquired  the 
goods  and  property  of  the  King  at  low  i)rices. 

9th.  Of  having  taken  pensions  and  bribes  from 
farmers  and  speculators,  to  let  them  have  farms 
and  leases  at  lower  lU'ices. 

10th.  It  was  finally  alleged  that  his  administra- 
tion had  been  ruinous,  tiiat  ho  had  made  treatiis 


U 


■Jii 


in;,'  willi  11m; 
fC'C'lll'O  ( f   l.i^i 

1  <'f  !mibkL't- 
;'s  iiiiiui',  rr.il 
rs,  iiniitl  the 
L  Tlio  fcal.s 
was  banished 
bepan.     The 

lavinjc  written 
ida  Bhoukl  do 

of  Belle  Isle, 

it  of  Coneav- 

■n  eontract  of 
)  be  absolutely 

oans  without 
interest. 
I  tho  Kinp  of 
being  himself 

loncy  with  his 

I'poses. 

s  and  leases, 

^  acquired  the 

w  i)rices. 

id  bribes  from 

[11  huYO  farms 

lis  administra- 
made  treaties 


/■//.•  ( >/,/  (  /usf. 


141 


to  the  disadva'nta.u'o  of  the  Kin;.',  and  Itad  appiii'tl 
tlie  funds  to  bad  jturjioses.* 

I  was  jiiV'sent  at  tho  debates  ou  Uiis  eelcbrated 
aH'air;  1  sa\v  liie  suiieriiitendeni,  jrreat  and  emir- 
ageoiis  in  niisforliiiie,  more  worthy  of  esteem  amid 
his  reverses  tlian  in  the  hei;!;ht  of  his  brilliant  jiros- 
perity,  a]>peariiipf  before  tho  Parliament,  one  of 
whoso  first  odiees  ho  had  onee  lilled  ;  I  heard  him 
defend  himself  with  iireeision  and  firmness,  but  his 
elo(inence  failed  to  convince  juilgcs  who  were  en- 
lightened by  facts  v.hieb  sp(»ke  louder  than  words  ; 
I  heard  his  sentence  of  banishment  for  life,  whieh 
was  changed  by  the  King  to  perjietual  imi>rison- 
ment.  It  wa;j  soon  known  that  D'Artagnau  had 
taken  his  prisoner  to  Pignend ;  for  a  few  monlha 
the"  superintendent  was  still  sp(d<en  of  ;  ho  was  tho 
subject  of  conversation  and  of  anxi  ty  amongst  his 
friends ;  then  oblivion  slowly  wovo  its  veil  over  that 
once  celebrated  memory  ;  and  when,  at  tho  end  of 
seventeen  years,  in  l(i80,  Fou(|uetdied  in  tho  prison 
which  ho  had  never  left,  the  event  was  scarcely 
noticed  ;  his  former  friends,  servants,  and  followers 
had  almost  forgotten  that  tho  superintendent  had 
overlived. 

'J'hc  post  which  ho  had  loft  vacant  was  worthily 
fdled  by  Mr.  Colbert,  that  great  minister  whose  in- 
tegrity repaired  the  financial  disasters  of  Ma/.arin 
and  Foutiuet.  Placed  under  his  orders,  I  had  an 
ojijiortunity  of  seeing  how  irreproachaldo  conduct 
is  ccmducivo  to  success.  He  owed  all  to  his  merit, 
and  nothing  to  his  birth,  for  ho  was  tho  ron  of  ;i 

*  Historical  defalcations,  nlmso  of  imldio  lainoy,  iilaii  of  a 
civil  war,  tlicso  arc  tho  hcuils  of  tlio  iwcuBatioii:!  iiKai)u:t  Fou- 
quot,  which  justified  his  eoiidriiir.atioii. 


14^ 


'I'lh  I >/,/  I  lust. 


iiu  irliiml  (if  llluiiiis;  imd  lie  liiiiiscTf,  In  keep  down 
his  cliildn  ii'.;  juidi',  olUii  ii  iiiiiiik'*!  lluiii<r  lliiir 
iirii,'!!!,  iiildlii;c  lliiit  (Jod  liiid  lii(t>c'd  Ium  l.dmr,  I.iit 
llmt  his  hilidT  liiid  1 K  11  c'xci.'.MVc.  MorioviT,  llio 
phuioiiH  icij;!!  (f  I.ciiis  XIV.,  vhil.-t.  Iv( ciiiii!,'  Uie 
nobility  in  cdiimiaiid  of  iirmii's  and  in  Uio  honors 
of  the  court,  pinu  cinidoymcnl  in  the  rcvcnuo  ilc- 
IKirlnu'ntH  mid  in  courtH  of  justice  to  men  of  citizen 
liiitii,  iirovi(U(l  that  tlu'vpoM-csscd  nicritaiidahility. 
yucli  was  the  lot  <  f  Collicrt  ;  and  connected  with 
the  pcojde  hy  his  ori<rip.,  lu'  reniemheied  hiHuufVer- 
inps.  lie  reduced  tlio  taxes  wliieli  \vei;rhed  esjieci- 
ully  on  the  ]M)or  iu'o]iIe  of  the  rural  districts;  he 
obtained  from  the  Kiiif,'  severe  edicts  apaintit 
Ufiureir  ;  all  the  jiastorfiof  Paris  read  at  the  s-ernion 
11  wariiiii!; :  "  Makinjr  it'  an  ohlijration  to  deiiounco 
certain  iiersoiis  Avho  luid  and  retained  hcveral  sums 
of  money  l)elongin<,'  to  tlieKinjr,  who  had  ohtainecl 
loads  of  straw,  hay,  and  oats,  and  :i  {rreat  deal  of 
panie  and  tisli,  wliicli,  their  houses  beiiiji^  jirovided, 
they  had  sold  I'ormuch  money,  all  heiiij^  tax-payeir, 
to  Icisen  their  taxca  ;  who  had  made  use  of  fabe 
■weights  to  weigh  g('l'l  crowns,  and  who  had  drawn 
iij)  false  documents." 

These  severe  measures  had  their  etTect ;  great 
scandals  met  with  cxenijiLiry  ininishment ;  one 
hundred  millions  returned  to  the  cotrera  of  the 
state,  jiublic  angir  Avas  appealed,  and  the  lowest 
jieasant  in  Franco  knew  that  the  King  and  the  lirst 
minister  would,  in  any  contingency,  do  justice  to 
his  rights.  Soon  negotiation  and  commerce  i-aw 
new  worlds  oiicning  before  them.  The  King,  ad- 
vised hy  Cidljcrl,  ])iotected  the  growing  colony  of 
San  Domingo,  rought  to  found  or.c  at  Madagascar, 


i 
I, 


!"!!!- 


'/•//<•  (V,l  C/iiSt. 


1.13 


()  kcf  |)(lown 
iiiii  <  r  tlu  ir 
i.s  I.iIhit,  I,ut 
orroViT,  llio 
K(('|iili;,'  llio 
I  (lio  lidiiora 
rcvomio  do- 
cn  of  c'itizi'ii 
Liiiulahilily. 
iiu'ckd  villi 
(I  lii8  miiVer- 
^diid  I'sjK'ci- 
listi'icts  ;  lie 

ictH     llgilillBt 

',  tlio  sernion 
to  (l('iiouiu;o 
ovcnil  Slims 
111(1  obtiiinod 
rout  (leiil  of 
1!,'  iirovidctl, 
,'  (iix-paycr^ 
use  of  fal.'o 
^  luul  drinvn 

iTeot  ;  great 
iiiicnt ;  one 
ilTi'rs  (if  tlic 
I  llio  luWCf-t 
and  the  first 
o  justice  to 
inniercc  s-aw 
10  King,  ad- 
ig  colony  of 
Afadagascar, 


li'itl  crcat.d  llio  celebrated  Must  India  roiiiiKiny,  i:i 
iiiiitatioii  of  the  rniltd  rro\iiiees.  u  lii(  li,  (ui.iliin- 
ing  the  lalior  ami  capilal  of  .-^dine  indJN  idiial.--.  Iie- 
eanio  niistiV8.s  of  tlio  spico  trade,  and  pii.-.<e.'iscd 
niiiiierous  estal)li;iliiiieiits  in  all  the  Indiai.  Art  Iii- 
l»elag().  Kxtending  eiininieree  iihroad,  encmiriiging 
tlio  incrcune  of  tlio  navy,  Colhertalso  hii.sied  liiiih'eU" 
witli  moans  of  ooinimtnicalion  in  tho  interior  of  the 
kingdom.  IIo  coinr.ienced  the  Langiiedoc;  Canal, 
which  was  to  connect  the  twosL'a.s;  he  citabliahed 
mannfactorics  at  Arras,  at  Ithoims,  at  Loiiviciv,  at 
Sedan,  at  Qiiesiioy,  at  Alein;on  ;  ho  fminded  a  glasd 
manufactory  at  Paris  ;  he  iirotecled  \\u'  Jdiirnal  clcs 
S:n'iui/f  :  lie  liroiight  from  Italy  llie  celeliraled 
areliitect  lU'rniiii  lo  direct  the  King's  Imildiiigrt ; 
lie  commenced  tli(>  new  Ijoiivre,  and  linished  the 
Oliservatory. 

llai»py  were  it  I'or  the  King  if  he  had  known  tho 
happiness  and  glory  of  jieace  !  lUil  a  young  and  pow- 
erful monarcli  desires  other  renown.  Hi;  ohtained 
it  ;  victory  lavished  her  favors  iiiion  him  ;  Franchc- 
Cofnt(',  con((uercd  in  a  fortnight  by  tho  arms  (jf  tlio 
Prince  of  Condi',  olTered  to  the  King  the  first  de- 
lusive fruits  of  those  long  wars  in  which  lie  v.as  to 
consume  Ids  life,  the  gold,  and  the  blood  of  his  peo- 
ple. For  twenty  years  this  powerful  France  sus- 
tained incessant  war,  having  always  men  and  money 
to  give  to  the  King.  For  twenty  years  the  glory 
was  great  ;  the  stale  and  tlio  King  sliono  with  ex- 
traordinary lustre.  But,  in  the  eyes  of  wise  men, 
terrible  reverses  must  follow  this  too  enviable  pros- 
perity. For  tu'cnly  years  an  olistnire  clerk  of  lluit 
great  minister  whoso  memory  is  so  dear  to  me,  I 
witnessed  his  zeal  Uw  the  public  good — bis  prodigi- 


\r 


144 


'/'//,•  ()/,/  ChiSt. 


II' 


111  ! 


I      f       it 


0113  labors,  his  strict  iiitoirrity;  1  paw  liim  give  to 
all  tlic  dclails  or  ail  iiiiinciiso  adiiiiiii.stratiou  ciiu- 
tinual  and  vigilant  altcntinn  ;  I  saw  him  s;>ck  to 
conununicato  to  liis  .^ons  tiio  sontiincnts  with 
which  he  was  animated  for  the  King  and  conntiy  ; 
insensible  to  satire,  deaf  to  threats,  concealing  nn- 
der  a  phlegmatic  exterior  ;i  natural  impetuosity, 
and  advancing  to  his  end,  discharging  his  duty, 
notwithstanding  cabals  and  opposition.  Yot,  firm 
as  was  his  "will,  he  hnev.'  how  to  consult  good  faith 
and  follow  a  wise  counsel.  I  sh:ill  cite  n  single  ex- 
ample of  Avdiich  I  was  a  witness ;  I  could  gi^e  a 
thousand  others  under  his  ministry.  The  garden  of 
the  Tuileries  was  renovated  after  the  dcsig'i  of  Lc 
Notre ;  and,  when  it  was  finished,  M.  CjJbert  said 
to  ni'  one  day  :  "  Let  ns  go  to  the  Tuileries  to  sec 
about  the  gates  ;  that  garden  must  be  kept  for  the 
King,  and  v.-c  c:/.  .lotlet  it  be  destroyed  by  the  pco- 
jilc,  who,  in  less  than  no  time,  will  ha\o  it. entirely 
spoiled."'  This  proposal  pained  me  somewhat ;  be- 
ing a  child  of  Paris,  1  knew  the  fondness  of  Pari- 
sians for  this  garden  ;  I  knew  that  it  would  be  for 
them  a  most  vexatious  privation,  and  one  which 
would  excite  general  discontent. 

Having  reached  the  grand  alley,  I  told  the  minister, 
as  cautiously  as  I  could,  that  no  one  could  l)elieve 
the  respect  which  every  one,  even  to  the  lowest  citi- 
zen, felt  for  that  garden  ;  that  not  even  the  women 
and  little  children  would  ever  pluck  .a  flower,  nor 
even  touch  one,  as  the  gardeners  could  testify,  and 
that  it  would  be  a  public  afflictiCii  not  to  be  allowed 
to  go  there  any  more. 

<'Undoul)tedly,  my  lord,"' I  added,  "  the  garden 


t 

t 


'aU    i 


The  Old  Chest. 


145 


liim  give  to 
•atiou  cou- 
im  p;'ok  to 
iicnts  •with 
1  country ; 
cciiling  mi- 
iipctuosity, 
;  his  duty, 
Yot,  firm 
;  good  fuitli 
n  single  ox- 
)uld  jjivc  a 
c  garden  of 
'.sig'i  of  Lc 
'jibert  said 
lerics  to  sec 
}pt  for  tlic 
l)y  tlic  pco- 
?  it  entirely 
cwhat ;  be- 
ss  of  Pari- 
ould  bo  for 
one  Avhich 

ic  minister, 
5uldl)elieve 
lowest  ci  ti- 
the women 
flower,  nor 
testify,  and 
>  be  allowed 

the  garden 


of  our  kings  is  so  largo,  only  that  all  (heir  cliiUlreu 
may  walk  m  it  !"' 

At  these  words,  the  minister'.s  intern  face  relaxed, 
and  it  was  decided  that  iJie  Tuileries  should  remain 
open  to  tlio  pul)Iio.  Tiiis  was  really  joy  to  me  ; 
and,  Avhen  I  grew  old,  and  wo!it  to  seek  tliere  a  lit- 
tle sunlight,  the  joyous  voiees  of  the  i)assers-by  and 
the  little  children  inado  my  heart  young  again,  and 
brought  ba.'k  to  me  the  memory  of  the  great  mau 
with  whom  I  had  formerly  trod  these  alleys,  and 
who,  iX  my  eulrealy,  was  pleased  to  preserve  it  for 
the  p.eo])!i'. 

Brilliiiiit:  as  was  the  reign  of  Louis  lo  Grand, 
witli  whatever  splendor  the  throne  was  surrounded 
by  the  talents  of  generals,  statesmen,  poets,  and 
orators,  under  this  external  glory,  as  at  the  bottom 
of  all  human  things,  was  sadness  and  bitterness. 
Colbert  had  found  in  the  Secretary  of  War,  Louvois, 
a  secret  but  implacable  enemy,  wlio,  seconding  the 
warlike  anil)il;ion  of  the  Kiiig,  dealt  to  finances, 
and  consetpiently  to  the  upright  minister  who  con- 
trolled them,  a  fatal  blow.  For  twenty  years  Franco 
had  no  otlier  enemies  than  those  which  she  made  in 
sport;  but,  to  carry  on  these  glorious  but  ruinous 
wars,  tlic  state  consumed  all  that  was  most  pre- 
cious—the  blood  and  gold  of  the  nobility  and  of  the 
people. 

One  day  I  saw  M.  Colbert  gloomy  and  sad.  I 
ventured  to  question  him. 

"  Tlie  King,"  said  he, ''  has  just  asked  of  me  six- 
ty millions  for  the  extraordinary  expenses  of  war. 
Alarmed  at  such  a  sum,  I  answered  that  I  did  not 
think  I  could  furnish  means  for  such  expenditure. 
'Tiiink  over  it,'  immediately  ans\\ercd  the  King; 


■ffTT 


::ii(i 


11 


■i!  :|9 


i'N'l 


^:  I 


ffl 


1^6 


'/'//,■   (V,/  CV/r-.V/. 


♦s(»im' niic'i'l.-c  will  iiiidoi-takf  t.>  .snpiily  ii.  if  yuti 
arc  not  williii^f  to  do  so."'" 

"Ti.it  will  1)0,"  coiitiinud  the  iiiiiuslor,  *' tlio 
last  blow  dciilt  to  rrancc  ;  the  clearest  interests  of 
the  state  will  1)C  sacriliiM'd  to  a  whiin  of  ambition, 
and,  as  for  me,  my  enemies  will  ruin  me  ;  liy  urging 
the  King  to  war  and  taxes,  they  will  destroy  my 
work,  and  force  mc  to  leave  the  coniuil."     .     .     . 

lie  walked  about  in  deep  tlionght,  and  repeating 
in  a  low  voice  tlieso  verses,  whicli  the  iioet  lli'nault 
liad  addressed  to  him  after  the  condemnation  of 
Fouquct : 

"  H's  fall  Rom  >  day  may  ho  thy  own,    .    . 

oar  L:iy  1) Jit,  ratiU,  court,  ami  IVirtuno."    .     . 

I  dared  not  speak,  l)ut  I  tronil^led  for  my  master 
and  friend.  From  that  day  ho  becamo  still  more 
serious.  Wiiilst  formerly  ho  might  bo  seen  going 
alumt  his  work,  rubl)ing  his  hands  gleefully,  sinco 
that  event  he  worked  with  a  sorrowful  and  dejected 
air.  The  ascoiulcney  of  Louvois  increased  every 
day,  and,  whilst  encouraging  the  King's  taste  for 
war  and  perilous  cntori»rises,  he  hastened  the  ruin 
of  the  country,  and  iiurried  his  rival  into  the  grave. 
After  a  stormy  interview  with  the  King,  ^M.  Colbert 
returned  home,  and  took  to  bed,  ^vlicncc  he  never 
rose.  It  was  from  that  Ijod  of  sull'ering  that  he 
estimated  truly  uio  greatness  of  this  world  ;  ho 
wished  to  think  of  nothing  but  his  s.dvation,  re- 
peating freiiuently.  "If  I  had  done  for  (iod  what  I 
have  done  for  the  King,  I  might  have  twice  saved 
my  soul,  and  now  I  know  not  Avhat  will  become 
of  me  ! " 

*  All  these  details  are  historical. 


The  Old  Chest. 


117 


•  it.  if  yuii 

ster,  *'  the 
ntoi'csts  of 
iiinbilioii, 
liy  uririnji 
k'sitroy  my 

I  ropc'iiting 
■t,  lli'iiaiilt 
muition  o£ 


my  muster 
still  more 
;ecn  going 
"ally,  sinco 
il  (lojoftc'd 
;isc(t  every 
^  liistc  for 
1  the  ruin 
)thegr;ivo. 
>r.  Colbert 
'0  he  never 
ig  that  1)0 
world  ;  he 
vation,  rc- 
lod  what  I 
wice  saved 
ill    beeome 


lie  died  i:i  th*  aniH  of  Fatlier  Uonrdalone, 
di.-igii.^t.\l  wiLli  llio  thiag.-i  of  ei'rlli,  wliich  lie  had 
soon  too  (do-iely^  and  lu)])ing  only  to  liud  redt  and 
morey  wilh  the  Lord. 

I  mourned  this  great  man  wilh  a  bitterness  the 
more  lively  that  I  saw  luni  misimdorslood  by  thi)sc 
wlioai  he  had  best  sorved — the  i)eoplo  and  tlio 
King.  He  had  ended  his  noble  life,  eonvinced  of 
general  ingratitude,  and  he  was  followed  even  be- 
yond the  grave  by  the  insults  of  rhymers  ;ind  libel- 
lers. If  be  could  have  foreseen  the  lanicntaljle  dis- 
tress into  wliieli  Franec  was  plunged  by  wars,  whieh 
beeamo  more  ami  more  di-a.<trous  by  want,  l)y  the 
ruin  of  the  ]niblic  funds,  by  the  exliaustiou  of  the 
vital  strengtii  oC  the  country,  ho  would  have  felt 
still  greater  anguish  in  death.  A  fearful  struggle, 
a  struggle  of  ten  yours  against  the  whole  of  Europe, 
victories,  but  burdeiiSonio  viet(jrio-',  since  they  re- 
sulted in  the  treaty  of  Ryswick,  by  which  the  con- 
(piests  made  by  L  luis  the  Groat  were  restored  to 
its  enemies,  this  struggle  had  ill  prepared  France 
for  the  Sj)unish  war  of  succession,  heart-rending 
calamities  of  which  we  see  to-day.  Lonely  and  old 
amongst  a  new  generation,  I  recall  the  first  splen- 
dors wiiieh  marked  tlic  dawning  of  the  reign  of 
Louis  ;  I  recall  the  prosperity  which  the  wise  Col- 
bert spread  around  him  ;  I  recall  the  glory  Avliich 
Tnrenne,  Condi',  Cri'qui,  Luxciul)ourg,  Duquesne, 
Tourville,  had  brouglit  to  the  French  arms.  These 
great  men  are  no  nu)re,  and  their  successors,  men 
of  a  new  age,  s-cemed  to  have  detrcneratodanu  to  be 
of  a  nature  less  noble  and  less  great.  I  remember, 
but  tho  King  must  also  remember  ! — he  who  alone 
remains  (>-  all  his  familv,  with  oidv  a  child  in  the 


Mi 


'.'I 


1     i 


1     1 


' 


I! 


■'ii 


148 


77/r  OU  C/irsf. 


rradlo.  Tlii.s  severe  iiid  penctnitinp  /rlniieo  Hlionld 
tiike  ill  lliecalamitics  wliieli  llie  I'lUuro  reserves  for 
onr  desceiidaiits  :  tlie  misery  of  the  pcojile,  the 
grnml)liii£j  and  discontent  of  tlic  eitizcns,  the  dark 
iinjiicty  Avliieli  is  increasinjr  every  day,  the  weak- 
ness of  tlio  army,  the  eoutiision  of  tlie  linances,  the 
national  cliaraetcr  weakened  and  debased,  the  c<m- 
tcmi)t  of  glorious  deeds,  the  love  of  good  living 
and  pleasure,  the  monarchy  about  to  fall  into  the 
hands  of  a  chiul,  under  the  regency  of  the  Duko 
do  Elaine,  unpopular  by  his  birth,  or  under  that  of 
a  Duko  of  Orleans,  to  be  feared  from  his  known 
defects  as  well  as  from  his  hidden  vices.     .     .     . 

I  shall  not  see  these  misfortunes  :  I  am  almost  at 
the  end  of  a  long  career,  during  which  I  have  tried 
to  serve  my  country,  in  ihc  humble  sphere  to  which 
I  was  called  by  my  birth  ;  I  fuIlUled  my  task  wit'i 
lionor  and  integrity ;  but,  whilst  peacefully  (juitting 
this  life,  I  tremble  for  those  wiio  shall  come  after 
lis.  We  have  sown  the  whirlwind,  they  sliall-  rea[) 
the  storm  ;  and  the  disasters  wliich  our  wars  and 
disorders  have  prepared  for  them  can  only  be  avert- 
ed by  the  hand  of  Providence. 

0  God,  Internal  Providence,  watch  over  France, 
•watch  over  the  dauphin,  soon  to  be  King,  the  dear 
and  last  flower  of  so  fair  a  stem  ! 


CO  .tlinuM 
servos  for 
'ofilo,  llio 

till.'  (lark 
lio  woak- 
iinccs,  tlio 
,  the  c<m- 
:)(l   living 

into  the 
Iho  Diiko 
vv  iliat  of 
id  known 

almost  at 
lavo  tried 
to  which 
task  vritli 
^quitting 
lino  after 
hall-  rea|) 
■\vars  ami 
■  Ijo  uvort- 

[•  Franco, 
,  the  dour 


XIV. 

l'IUJ.0S01'il  V — KKillTKENTU  CKXTL'IIV. 

^Iy  vencralilo  grandfather,  a  man  of  sense  ami 
jiulgniont,  had  foreseen  the  misfortunes  -vvliicli 
overwhelm  us  in  the  present  iind  threaten  us  !  ■  the 
future.  l?ut,  Avhatevcr  might  bo  liis  judgment, 
enlightened  by  a  long  life  ami  by  the  oxporiencc  of 
men  and  things,  lie  could  not  foresee  the  torrent  of 
evils  ■vvliich  licentiousness  and  impiety  have  brought 
upon  Franco,  and  into  Iho  iiiterioi*  of  families, 
(iod  ha.^  witlidrawu  lilmself  ivom  us,  or,  to  better 
express  it,  we  liave  rejected  him.  .  .  ,  Every 
day  he  is  insulted  and  blasphemed,  his  divine  com- 
mandments viola*  od  ;  there  are  to  bo  found  amongst 
i;.;  men,  and  men  honored  by  all,  Avho  have  sworn 
war  against  God,  who  would  crush  the  iufamous.* 
Franco  h  to-day,  through  its  writers,  the  enemy  of 
V.\Q  L'jrd,  the  standard-l)carer  of  atheism — in  other 
v.Mrd:!,  Franco  is  lost ;  for  Avho  has  resisted  the 
Lord  and  found  peace  ? 

Wo  Avorc  two  brothers,  brought  up  alike,  under 
t'.io  care  of  most  tender  parents,  with  the  same 
<lestiny  before  us  ;  but  our  dispositions  were  widely 
dilTereiii.     I  nought  only  a  hidden,  retired  life;  I 

*  "EcriiKcr  riiifanio,"' Iho  famous  ox[)rL'b.sii)u '^f  Vultiiiro  ia 

rcrorcucc  to  our  iJiviue  Saviour. 

\V.) 


<v  :ir~- 


m 


1^0 


T/u-  Old  Chest. 


]i:i(l  no  ambition  fur  any  other  tliau  domcstio  joys  ; 
my  desired  aiul  aiLaclimciit.s  went  no  farllier  tliau 
the  lioartli  round  wliicli  tlie  family  assembled  ;  ond 
I  wished  for  nothing  moro  hero  below  than  to  bj 
hajipy,  as  my  father  had  been,  by  honest  laljor,  t ) 
j'hid  a  wife  like  my  mother,  and  to  have  one  day 
children  who  would  love  mo  as  I  lo^■o  my  jiarentt'. 
1  have  little  to  say  of  my.^^M,  for  I  have  been  happy 
with  tlic  happiness  whieh  I  sought ;  my  position 
a3  a  notary  has  amply  provided  for  all  my  wants, 
and  given  mo  cm])loymcnt  in  accordance  with  my 
tastes.  I  married  a  wife  after  my  own  heart,  and 
s!ic  mado  mc  father  of  two  dauglitcrs,  wlio  gave 
jiromise  of  merit  and  virtue. 

My  brother  Louis  from  his  childhood  showed  am- 
bition, lovo  of  display,  and  of  enjoyment  ;  the  dis- 
tinctions which  laws  and  customs  had  establislied 
between  men  irritated  liini ;  a  lord  of  the  court  ap- 
peared to  him  of  all  beings  the  most  enviable  ;  he 
did  not  disdain  tho  lot  of  a  simpl-e  gentleman,  on 
Avliom  his  binh  conferred  the  i)lacG  of  lionor  in 
church  and  many  other  privileges  ;  to  rule  was  his 
dream;  and  finding  himself,  by  birth,  confounded 
wiLh  tho  immense  multitude  of  good  and  honest 
citizens,  he  Avished  at  least  to  acquire,  by  means  of 
fortune,  tho  supremacy  which  ho  coveted,  lie 
connected  himself  Avitli  financiers,  ho  took  part  in 
their  speculations,  he  conducted  his  own  with  much 
skill  ;  and,  at  tho  ago  of  thirty-five,  being  master 
of  a  large  fortune,  he  obtained  the  farmer-general- 
ship of  salt  works,  and  ho  i;iarried  the  daughter  of 
a  leading  financier. 

This  marriage  and  odiee  gave  my  brother  an  en- 
tirely new  position,  v.-iiicli  ivnioved  him  from  me. 


tic  joys  ; 
lior  Ukui 
led  ;  i'liil 
an  to  bj 
labor,  I ) 
oiiu  day 
liavontt. 
:;u  happy 
position 
y  wauls, 
willi  my 
art,  aiul 
lio   gave 

iwcd  ain- 

tho  dis- 
.aljlislicd 
:ourt  ap- 
iblo  ;  ho 
man,  on 
'ioiior  in 

was  his 
founded 
I  honest 
neans  of 
-d.     no 

part  in 
th  niucli 

master 
■peneral- 
glitor  of 

f  an  rn- 
om  1110, 


The  Old  Chest. 


lU 


from  our  connections,  and  the  old  friends  of  our 
family,  llo  lived  in  tlio  Faubourg  .Saiiil-ILmnre, 
in  !i  largo  mansion,  resplendent  with  crystals,  mir- 
rors, and  gildings,  and  enriched  willi  tho  choicest 
worlss  of  ijoiicher,  Coyi)el,  Lancret,  and  r.oucliar- 
don.  A  numerous  retinno  of  servants  lilled  llio 
ante-chaml)ers  ;  -Madame  Duchaisne's  drawing- 
room,  glittering  with  pictures,  mirrors,  and  bronzes, 
was  liner  flian  tliosj  of  tho  court  ladies  ;  her  horses, 
her  dress,  lior  diamonds,  Aveie  the  envy  of  the  most 
wealtliy  ladies  ;  my  brother  gathered  every  day 
aronnd  liis  table  numerous  guests,  titled  men, 
ladies  of  fashion,  bankers,  and,  let  me  add,  those 
wits,  men  of  letters,  whoso  writings  were  stirring 
not^only  France,  but  Europe. 

Tho  pul)lio  voice  gave  .such  aec(Mints  of  tho 
riches,  tho  magnilicent  life,  and  brilliant  connec- 
tions of  my  motlier,  that  it  seemed  to  us,  humlilo 
citizens,  u  fany  tale,  a  fable  of  tho  '-Thousand 
and  One  ^sights."  My  wife  was  astonished,  my 
daughlers  opened  their  eyes  very  wide  at  hearing 
of  these  marvels  cf  wealth  and  luxury ;  my  good 
wife  sometimes  added  :  "  How  happy  they  aro  ; 
liow  much  good  they  can  do  !"'  But,  as  for  me,  I 
found  in  these  descriptions,  in  these  accounts,  many 
reasons  for  trouble  and  anxiety.  I  loved  my  brother, 
though  circumstances  had  separated  mc  from  him, 
and  I  learned  with  deep  sorrov,-  his  intimate  con- 
nection with  those  who  were  called  philosophers, 
encyclopanlists.  I  knew  their  works,  and  I  knew 
in  wdiat  danger  they  wero  hurrying  the  family  and 
tho  monarchy.  I  tlionght  I  saw  in  their  intimato 
connection  a  binistt'r  conspiracy  against  all  tho  laws 
which  are  the  foundation  of  society.      Keligion  at- 


I  r>-> 


Ii-' 


The  Old  C lust. 


P  4 

I' 

■))■ 

il  ''a 


«  i    : 


V:    ,1; 


'      i.l 


M    11 


iMI 


Hi  ii 


t;uki.'(l,  and  LM»u,sc'((ui.nlly  nionilii y  destroyed,  j;ivo 
},diiupa'.-i  ol"  11  very  f^dooniy  fiilurc  ;  and  it  was  those 
\ilo  LMU'niios  t'f  (lod.  llii.-o  daii.Lrcnni.s  cMUMniosof 
Llic  Ktatc,  those  crwol  onc?iiios)  of  liuniaiiity,  that  my 
hrolhcr  gathered  rn mid  liis  talile,  \\\\u>(\  .Ma'eenas 
lie  in:;dc  himself,  for  it  was  t-aid  ho  rei)aid  their 
llattorics  wKli  gold  ! 

Tlic  Kneyloiiu'dia  was  at  onco  the  means  and  llio 
in-ctexi  ()!"  which  they  made  use  to  ,-i)read  tlioir  opi- 
nion.; a:id  coneeal  tlieir  de.-i,ni.!  ;  it  ai)pearod  to  l-o 
only  ti  laborious  and  pmvly  lili  rary  work  ;  hut  wise 
und  religious  men  beeamo  alarmed  at  teeing  the 
namcj  of  the  leaders  of  tho  enterprise.  Soon  there 
appeared,  simultaneously  with  the  Lneyeloi^rdia,  a 
vast  number  of  satires  a.^ain:'t  priests,  religious,  and 
the  aulhoritics,  and  u  nniltitude  of  impious  and 
licentious  pav.iphlets,  which,  being  spread  through- 
out j:11  classes,  speaking  a  language  too  easy  lo  i;n- 
der.sland,  and  within  the  reaeli  of  every  mind,  eor- 
rupted  even  tho  women  and  cliildre:i  v.  ho  had 
iLcarcely  left  tho  fcohool-bench.  Tho  great"  lords, 
flattered  in  their  passions,  the  citizens  in  their  ])ro- 
judices,  became  tho  support  of  lho:;c  who  fcek  to 
ovcrthrov/  thotlirone,  cast  opprobrium  on  the  altar, 
and  who  are  hurrying  us  all  towards  an  a])yss  to 
which  advisers  of  tho  monarchy  are  blindly  lead- 
ing us.     .     .     .      O  unhaiipy  IVanee ! 

I  see,  l)y  the  examples  all  around  me,  the  evil 
which  tho  so-called  philosophers  are  doing  and  will 
do  ;  as  for  the  good,  I  honcjtly  perceive  none.  I 
sec  that  in  attacking  religion  they  destroy  morali- 
ty ;  that  they  shako  the  respect  due  i)  supremo 
authority,  wliik-t  Mattering  tho  foildcs  of  the  mon- 
arch ;  I  sec  that  the  national  character  ijv/eakeucd, 


L  was  (lii'sc 
ciuMiiics  of 
ty,  that  my 
11  Ma'fciKis 
L'i)ai(l  their 

iiiH  and  tlio 
I  tlieir  oj)!- 
■arcil  Id  ho 
.  ;  ])\\i  wij^c 
tcciii';  Uie 
Soon  there 
ch>p.T(lia,  ii 
ii;ious,  ami 
;ipious  and 
d  througli- 
L'asy  to  \xn- 
muicl,  cor- 
L  who  liad 
reaf  lonls 

I  tlicir  ])ru- 
ho  reek  to 
-.1  tlu;  altar, 

II  aliyss  to 
Liully  Icad- 

lO,  tlio  evil 
ig  and  will 
a  none.  I 
roy  morali- 

.)  supremo 
!  the  moa- 
i  v/eakeucd, 


T/w  Old  Gust. 


'53 


that  the  l''ren('Ii  iiumiI  is  dehased,  that  there  is  no 
more  hot ief  in  God  ;  I  see  lieentionsnessiind  eorrnii- 
tion,  whieh  are  currying  us  on  towards  anunkuowu 
lint  terrihle  fiitnre.  Such  is  the  end  of  ii  connnuni- 
ty  when  (lod  witiidraws  jiiiii^elf  from  it.     .     .     . 

My  brother  invited  mc  to  a  supi)er  wlileh  he  was 
giving  to  his  brilliant  friends,  and,  yielding  to  Ids 
entreaties,  I  went  to  it. 

The  recollcotion  of  that  evening  long  imrsned 
nie.  I  nu't  in  thoge  magnitieent  sahms  uroiind  tluit 
laiile,  on  whieh  apiieared  the  works  of  the  iiest 
Parisian  cook,  a  niunerons  assembly  and  ii  com- 
plete tieademy.  Of  the  men  of  thu  court,  M.  Do 
Seliomberg,  an  ardent  admirer  of  Voltaire'.'  iMictry  ; 
M.  T)c  Trossaii.,  the  author  of  some  a^reealjlo 
writings  taken  from  old  fables  ;  the  Count  do 
Jauoourt,  Avho  was  taking  part  in  the  Encyelo- 
jwdia  ;  then,  Diderot,  whose  pathos  and  'xtrava- 
gance  astonished  me  ;  llelvetius,  eekl;rated  for  a 
rather  ordinary  work  ;  the  cold  Al)be  .Mori'liet, 
Uaynal,  D'Alenibcrt ;  some  young  women,  tlieir  ail- 
nurers,  and  s(mio  linanciers,  friends  of  my  bro- 
ther, comjileted  tlie  company.  Finding  themselves 
amongst  intimate  associates  (for  I  was  of  no  ac- 
count there),  they  spoke  freely  ;  my  brother  even 
boasted  of  having  assembled  at  that  dinner  the  Uito 
of  the  pliilosophers,  that  is  to  say,  atheists,  and  to 
ha'-e  admitted  only  one  deist,  the  Abbe  Morollet. 

"Atheists  and  deists  tend  to  the  same  thing," 
observed  Raynal — "  the  regeneration  of  the'hunian 
kind." 

'•  The  destruction  of  the  temple  of  error,''  added 
D'Alembert. 

'•  0  happy  day  !  j,^olden  age  !"  exclaimed  Diderot, 


ii  ;ii 


i'  ill 


154 


riu-  i )ui  c/ust. 


'•  ul.'i'ii  JiiiiiiKiinl  .«li;ill  lie  frei'd  finiii  iis  cli.'iins. 
ami  rid  of  iiriufi's,  piii'sts,  (if  \v()rslii|>,  niid  of  re- 
lifrioii.s  j)r(diulicc,s  !  ll  is  in  [\w  work.slioj)  of  f-orrow 
liiiit  iiiifordiiiidc  man  liii.s  faffliionid  llic  pliantom 
Avhicli  lie  liiis  inndc  liis  (lod.  .  .  ,  'i'lio  same 
caiiso  lias  fiirnii'd  ids  tvranis  and  iiis  fdavcrv.  I'ld- 
iiKsopliy,  llio  tnic  friend  of  man,  conirs  to  ins  aid, 
and  onconrarjc'S  luni  to  iirt'aix  tiio  yf)l\c'  v.i  Ijotli  onu 
and  Ihc  o(!i(  r.     May  I  sco  llnd  day  I 

'  AikI  with  llic  l,ilNo('  1!ii'  |;ist  iniout 
Wcotlio  lust-  king  Ktriiiij^leil.'  " 

'•  Ilravo  !  bravo  !"  criv'd  my  wicUdu'd  limliici'. 
'•'I'iicsc  arc  new  ideas  and  darin<^  scnlinicnl-.  Unl. 
K'(  ns  s[)i'nl\  of  tlic  Ilmycdopa'dia  ;  you  ktou,  i^cn- 
tlcmcn,  llial  I  am  inlcroslt'd  in  il." 

*■  Vou  snri'ly  liavo  f,'ood  ri^lil,  my  dear  l)ii- 
cliaisnc,"  answered  Ilelvelius ;  ''and,  if  tlie  name 
of  Mn'ecnas  lias  eome  down  to  posterity,  yonrs  sliall 
lie  also  Messed  liy  yonr  doseendunts.  Yon  siipporl. 
tins  pfroat  work,  the  immortal  enler|)rise  of  this 
age  of  reason  and  enlightenment,  and  wliieh  shall 
have,  above  all  others,  the  merit  of  having  forever 
anndiilatcd  sn])erstition.'' 

"Therefore,"'  eontinned  Diderot,  "ninst  we  not 
yield  to  the  bawling  of  priests  ami  bigots.  /,/■/  us 
(ic,  hi  IIS  lie,  i}iii  friends !'•'  It  is  the  patriarch  who 
rceommends  it  to  us,  and  we  shall  jint  down  prc- 
jndiees."' 

"Wo  are  stifled  with  prejudiees,''  answered  llel- 
vetii's  ;  "' tliey  ehokc  us  from  onr  very  infaney  by 


IH 
es 
cs 
sii 
fr 
1» 
ci 

''.' 

cii 

III 


at 
(•(I 
ti( 

.st; 
ell 
tn 
th 
111 
Al 
til 
h. 
da 
cv 
an 


:iil 


'••A'l  ('xiU'L'iisi'):!  !>!'   \''ill;iii'o's,  nl'tci  rcjioatfl  In  lii.i  corre- 
(•pumlciiLO. 


liij 


Tin  0!,{  Clust. 


'55 


its  ciptins. 
1111(1  of  re- 
j>  (if  sorrow 
0  pliaiiiiiin 

'I'llO    MIIIK' 

vtrv.    riii- 

li>  iii.s  nid, 

:f  hotli  one 


'd   lirnlhrr. 

ICllI-'.       lilll. 
IvIuU,  i,'('ll- 

(Icar  Dii- 
tlie  iiiiiiie 
voiirs  sliiill 
oil  .siipjKirl. 
isc  of  this 
hieli  shall 
iig  forever 

list  w:  iioL 

)ts.      l.il  lis 

riiircli  who 
down  prc- 

iered  llel- 
n  fancy  by 

'I  hi ,  cdrn'- 


llic  niiiiicsof  Hon.  lirollier,  hiisliiind,  f.ilhcr,  .  .  . 
All  lliese  li(.-i  of  father  and  ehild  arc  iiijininiis  In 
those  of  eiti/cn,  and  |irodiiee  \ice  under  llic  a|i- 
pearance  of  virtue  ;  little coniniunilieH  whose  inter- 
ests are  alninsl  always  opposed  to  the  ])iililie  inter- 
ests would  (venlually  cviiii^iii-h  in  souls  every 
spark  (if  loNCdf  country.  TIh!  people  caiinnl,  he 
freed  from  these  ealainiiies  hut  hy  breaking  all 
bonds  of  rclilioiishiji,  and  deelariiig  their  children 
citizens  of  tlie  stale.  This  is  the  only  means  of 
putting  down  vice.  .  .  .  ^iDrcover,  every  spe- 
cies of  dependence  being  nnjiisl,  the  fim  depends 
no  more  on  the  fatlu-r  than  llie  latter  on  his  oil- 
siiring."" 

At  these  •••ords  I  lookeil  al  my  limMicr.  lie  was 
upplauding. 

The  convcrsal  inii  ciiiilinued  in  ihissliaiii  ;  I  was 
ut  last  iorced  Id  sjieak  iiiil.  and  I  had  al  Ica.-I  the 
consolation  of  sustaining  tiie  cause  of  eternal  jus- 
tice and  of  outraged  morality.  1  was  ii.iswered  by 
stale  jokes ;  my  brother  seemed  ill  at  case  ;  ho 
changed  the  conversation.  They  s[)oke  of  litera- 
ture, ])raise  and  ajiplause  bandied  aliout  amongst 
themselves,  wiiiist  criticising  severely  the  most  cs- 
tunalile  authors,  such  as  .M.  |)e  I'omiiignan,  the 
AI)b(3  (iuence,  J.  l\.  Roiissean.f  who  had  devoted 
their  talents  to  anuther  cause.  I  listened  for  a  full 
hour  to  cruel  slanders,  to  infamous  calumnies,  scan- 
dalous anecdotes,  which  convulsed  witii  laughter 
even  the  young  women.  unhap])y  ]>npils  of  irreligioii 
and  licentiousness,  and  I  felt  as   if  delivered  from 


■;  IMvctius-,  "PolT.s).i-i1/' 
+  .T.  1>.    U()',i:-iS":i'l   must  no!   'i 
writLT,  Jeua  Jacijucs. 


ii;iriniiiii,'il    Willi  tlu'  iiilMcl 


f  vr 


I' 


m  I 


;  iil 


■f  ■  -m 


isr. 


T/h-  O/.U'/ns/. 


rriu'l  tni'liiro  wlu'ii  I  cinild  Iciivftlii'  .vf/Kyiissciiiltly, 
in  wliifli  I  I'uiiinl  inysi'lf  so  ciiiii[iltto  ii  Ktninge'r. 

Xi'xl  (lay  1  Iiinl  iin  cxitluiialit'ii  uitli  my  brKtlior, 
wliicli  left  us  ImiUi  ill  niif  (twii  iiliiis. 

"  And  ynii  will  lirin;^;  up  ynur  cliildrcii  in  llic 
prinoipk'rt  vi  your  pliilu.siiplitr.'i 'i'"'  ii-kuil  I  at 
lei;^'tli.  '  ■  ^_ 

"Sncli  is  my  inlentiuii,"  answoicd  lie.  " 'I'licy 
Khali  learn  to  read  in  (lie  wriliniis  of  JcaU  Jaciiui's." 

"  And  lo  honor  you  accordiuj,'  to  Ihu  uni\ini,-i  of 
Ilchclius!'' 

1  did  nol,  however,  hreak  with  my  jioor  lir'>tlier  ; 
returned  to  my  old  ways  and  my  liaiipiness,  I  again 
Kouirht  to  enlighten  him  ;  l)nt  all  my  eflorts  Mere 
vain.  'I'ho  ilattory  of  his  parasites  had  turned  his 
head  ;  and  the  rich  linaneierlhought  himself  iiman 
of  genius,  .^ince  he  had  received  a  Idler  dated  Fer- 
ncy,  and  written  liy  the  patriarch's  own  haml. 

'I'he  years,  in  passing,  did  not  bring  us  Ingellur  ; 
hnt  1  thought  I  conld  perceive,  on  the  rare  occa- 
sions when  we  met,  that  my  brother  seenu'd  sad, 
and  had  other  cares  than  those  whicli  ytars  in  their 
ilight  are  wont  to  bring.  IHs  fortniu>,  however,  was 
still  lirilliant,  his  liouse  fre<iuented  ;  he  had  just 
married  his  daugliter  I'elicie  to  the  Baron  de  Tout ; 
his  son  Kilmond,  lio  t<dd  me,  was  distinguishing 
himself  by  his  literary  taleids.  and  had  recently  pnl)- 
lished  three  pamphlets,  •'  The  Il's,"'-'  The  Whens," 
"  The  Wherefores,'"  which  were  nnikingasensat  ion  in 
the  philosopli-cal  worhl.  His  third  son,  Henri,  was 
ii  nnin  of  fashion,  whose  adventures  were  much 
talked  of.  .My  l)oor  brother  (old  me  of  his  sons' 
feats  with  a  gratitied  smile  of  jiaternal  vanity;  he 
uongratulated  himself  on  having  one  son  an  iulidel, 


am 

tlia 

< 

yoti 

liol 

AVii 
Ho 

sue 

1 

tha 

the 

blC! 

ten 
the 
me 
wh^ 
we  I 
glo 
!- 
l.vii 
am 
Iku 
my 
oui 
If. 
roo 
fun 

hai 

< 

shi 
Yo 


rVllSSCIIlltly, 

■  tiaiiijcr. 
iiiv  brill luT, 

ll'l'tl    ill    IllC 

ii.-Ucil  1  lit 
.1'.     "  'I'hcy 

111  JiUMlUOS." 
lllil\illld  l)i 

<i)V  lir"llior  ; 
K'S.-,  I  iigiiiu 
t'lloi'ls  wore 
,  turned  Ms 
msfll"  11 111.111 

I  IkiihI. 
IIS  ingi'llicr ; 
)  rare  occii- 
aTiiu'd  Had, 
ears  in  their 
lowevcr,  was 
lie  liad  just 
on  do  Pont ; 
<tiiipiiisliiiig 
■((•eiilly  imli- 
riieWheiis/' 
.senstiiioniii 
,  llonri,  \va.s 
were  imicli 
(if  liis  pons' 
vanity ;  lio 
111  an  iutide), 


/'//,    (>/,/  l'//iS.'. 


'?; 


a;iMlIii'r  ;;^  liliiTliiif.  and  lie  st'eimd  a-i  if  e\|i(  din;; 
tlial  [  w.iiild  mid  my  |irai,«i'  Id  thai  which  he  ia\- 
ijiicd  n:i  llu'iii. 

"Are  yon  :  allsli  "1  wiih  tluir  ciiiidiu't  |.,ward,-i 
yoU?"fjaiil  I  to  him.  ",\niiilsL  so  many  tniiiita- 
tion;.',  arc  lliey  good  son;',  ?'' 

"  Wo  se.^  them  lint- lilile  ;  liny  are yoiiiiL:-.  .  .  . 
AVliat  woiihl  yon  hiivo?  Voiitli  must  luiss."'  .  .  . 
He  si.Lihed. 

'•  And  your  ihui^^hier,  for  whom  ymi  have  made 
such  ;i  lirilKaiiL  niarriagi'  ?'' 

Ho  did  not  answer  ;  and  I  llionglit  I  could  seo 
that  (li(>  inirratitude  <if  this  beloved  daughter  wad 
the  UMMW  which  pierced  his  luari.  Oh!  how  I 
blessed  my  liiLoii  n'tnniiiig  home,  amongst  my  at- 
t^'iitivo  and  iv^iieett'ul  children,  who  had  found  i  i 
the  lav/ of  Clod  the  ooiilirniation  of  the  first  senti- 
ment awakened  ill  the  depth  of  their  hearts,  and 
who  lovi'il  me  the  more  that  in  loving  me  they 
wei-(^  honiiring  (lod,  whom  I  had  taught,  (hem  to 
glorify  and  t>)  love  above  all  things  ! 

Shortly  after  this  interview  with  my  limilier,  I 
jjaruod  tlut  liis  sou  I[eiiri  was  dangerously  ill,  in 
oonseqneneo  of  a  snp[ier,  or  rather  oaronsal,  wliieli 
had  taken  place  at  the  Palais  lloyal.  I  tl>on;rht  it 
iiiv  <lnty  to  bring  Id  my  bnilher  the  eoiisulati.m:!  of 
our  <ild  alTeetion.  I  •.irrived  at  his  maiihion,  whicii 
I  fiiund  silent  and  gloomy  ;  I  was  conducted  inloii 
room  wliieli  adjoined  tlio  sick-room  ;  and  lliore  I 
found  my  brother  sitting,  his  head  lairied  in  liis 
Iv.inds,  absorl)ed  in  ])ainriil  thouglil. 

♦•  Is  it  you,  my  broliier  ?"  sai<l  he.  '•  V'  u  dn  not 
shun  a  house  of  mourning  !  You  liavc  iieard  .  .  . 
Yon  know     .     .     .     ^fy  pour  son  !" 


lii 


!i  iil 

'ilil 


I  I 


i=;s 


77r  (  V</  (  7/r.s7. 


'•  .My  drur  Louis,  voiilli  lu;:.;  iiiunv  chiiuct^^  W/av 
Kon,  J  li()])(',  will  ))i'  rt'siond  ti)  \ou.'' 

••  I  caiiiidt  Ib'.'icr  !:>y.-rll' \\illi  siuli  ;i  li(ii;o.  .  .  . 
lie  i,.i  i!()Oiii(.'(l.  ...  1  shall  ]i).''(.'  liiiu,  1  AwM 
see  him  no  more  I     O  iiiy  (leai'  lienri  1" 

Tie  gave  I'lill  vi'iit  t  >  hi<  pati.Tiial  sorruw,  i:i  whieh 
1  ,  ineerelvKliared.  I  wt'jilAvith  him,  and  1  de[)l()red 
the  I'ate  of  this  unliajjpy  young  man,  who  h.ad  lived 
a  slave  to  ]ii:i  pa:-;iinis,  ;iud  who  was  ahout  to  die 
an  enemy  to  (Jod.  We  'weii  hotli  .'^ilent  and  in  tear,:, 
"wlien  tile  door  ojiened,  and  I  saw  a  worthy  iivie;:!, 
the  pastor  of  the  jiarish  in  vliieli  my  brother  Jived, 
and  known  through  all  Paris  for  his  zeal  and  a.po^'- 
tolie  eharity.  He  saluted  us,  and,  addressing  Louis, 
said  : 

"  Sir,  I  present  myself  again  before  you  to  offer 
you  the  services  of  my  ministry  for  your  M)n.  I 
am  your  pastor,  and  God  commands  that  1  mn-t 
not  let  one  of  the  dear  sheep  of  my  Hock  perisli  nn- 
jdded.  Will  you  deigu  to  admit  mo  to  the  jire- 
scnco  of  yoiir  son  i-"  " 

^[y  In'other  reddened,  and,  iu  ;'.  dejected  lone,  he 
answered  : 

"■  He  refuses  your  visit,  sir  ;  T  projiosed  it  to  him. 
lie   Vt'islies  to  die- — " 

'■'  As  hj  ha.j  lived  !     0  unhajipy  boy  I "' 

'•  lie  has  some  prejudices     .     .     .'" 

'•  Mis  mind,  poi.oned  by  ])ernicion3  doctiincs, 
hates  the  ministers  cf  leiigion.  .  .  .  Lut  (lure 
is  yet  time  to  conviuco  him  of  his  errors,  .  .  . 
find  to  prove  to  him  that  there  arc  no  more  f.ie.cere 
friends  than  the  servants  of  Jesus  Christ." 

"  I  do  not  wish  to  disturb  him  !  I  wish,  liis  last 
hours  to  Ijc  peaceful.''     .     .     . 


bi 
d. 
di 

01 

of 
sa 
lu 
m 

SI 

!>' 

sa 

at 

m 

ob 
th 

cil 

}'" 
pa 

no 

ca 


VK 

ca: 
v/a 
pr 
sw 
U)( 
as 
rai 


iiinci 


;:.    \r.Ul 


nope.    .    .    . 

llil'l,   I    .••iKill 

x>w,  ill  wliicli 
ul  I  doploreil 
iio  I'.ail  Vwvd 
iiljinit  to  dk' 
;  tuul  ill  tear,:, 
•ortliy  iivicil, 
)rcitlK'r  Jived, 
oal  and  i\\'.oi--- 
essiug  Louip, 

you  to  offer 
your  i-oii.  I 
that  1  I'.ni.-t 
•k  nerisli  uii- 

lo   the   jire- 

cted  Vouc,  lie 
od  it  to  liiiu. 


us  doctiine^:, 
.     VaM  (liei'c 

vvov>,  .  .  . 
riore  f.ir.cere 

wii-di  Ids  hi:[, 


The  UIJ  (7/,s/. 


15; 


T  iiiterl'erod  'it  tlieso  wor.U  1  urged.  luy  hmtiier  ; 
l>iit  it,  wan  ill  vaiu.  lie  snill  I'rared,  he-^ido  llu- 
death-bed  of  lii.s  son,  tlie  raillery  of  ilie  Avil.-,  wli) 
did  notv.-ish  that  ouoo':  f  lieir  iiuinl)U'.;hould  "  hack 
out";  and,  full  of  doubt  in  sight  oL'  ihedark  al)y,s^ 
of  Klerniiy,  lie  t^uught  to  jiliud  liiinself,  end  to 
saerilice  to  the  sarcasms  of  the  world  lluit  son  v.lioin 
lio  nevcrtlieless  loved  so  tenderly.  A  blind  obsti- 
nacy had  possession  of  his  niiiul,  and  neither  niv 
suggestions  nor  the  charitable  entreaties  of  the  old 
priest  could  dispel  it.  'I'iie  pastin-  withdrevr, 
saying  : 

'•  If  the  patient  desires  to  see  nio,  eome,  oli  I  eonio 
ut  once.  At  whatever  hour  it  may  Ije,  call  nie. 
.  .  .  I  iim  going  to  pray  for  him  and  for  his 
niothtg."'    .     .     . 

I  remained  with  my  brother;  but  i  could  not 
obtain  access  to  the  patient.  1  spent  the  night  at 
the  house,  in  tlic  midst  of  the  constant  alarni  ex- 
cited by  the  imminent  danger  of  the  uni'ortunafe 
young  man.  'ro\vard;<  inorniag,  being  alone  i;i  the 
parlor,  I  heard  ;i  piercing  cry  which  came  ffom  my 
nephew's  room.  I  ran  in  ;  my  brother,  torriiied, 
came  tovrards  me,  and  murmured  : 

"  He  is  dying  !"     And,  so  saying,  fell  senseless. 

My  sister-in-law  was  stretched  on  the  Ijed  with  11 
violent  attack  of  hys'Lcrics.  Whilst  the  servant-! 
cared  for  them,  I  ran  to  Henri's  bed.  ...  lie 
v/as  dying!  His  ^'aco  liad  already  the  fearful  ex- 
l)ression  vrhich  the  death-agony  gives.  A  cold 
sweat  covered  his  forehead,  and  his  glassy  eyes 
looked  with  terroi-  at  the  dark  c<)rner3  of  the  room, 
as  though  be  saw  there  fright fe.l  visions,  lie 
raised    his  feeble   ba'd  to   hii  eyes,  as  if  to  shut 


i6t) 


Thf  Old  (lust. 


oiil   (lu>  ()l).jec'L.s  which  bc-cl  l\in).     1  took  liiin  in 
av  arms. 
'••My  liov/"  said    I,    "  lliink  of  Cod;  rcpoiit  of 

Yoiir  faults  1  ' 

'•  Who  spcaki  to  me  of  (Jod  ?  Tlicro  is  no  Cind  ! 
Ko,  110,  no  !" 

"  Thoio  is  one,  and  lie  awaits  yon  !  0  my  c'.ear 
1)oy  !  bnt  a  moment  remains  to  you.  Say,  'My 
(;<)d,  I  repent  of  having  ofCended  you  !  ]My  Clod,  I 
love  you  !" 

"  i  cannot  !    I  do  not  understand  you  !    .     .     . 

Later!     Later!" 

I  again  urged  him.  I  showed  him  a  crucifix 
which  I  carried  aliout  -with  me.  He  turned  away 
his   eyes,    and  said,    with    an   expression   of  lior- 

ror : 

'•  Do  you  £ee  those  figures  that  fill  the  room  ? 
Tut  tlicm  out ;  defend  me  !  .  .  .  After  that,  I 
will  do  what  you  wish.     ..." 

I  made  the  sign  of  the  cross  over  him,  hut  hi'. 
iigitati(m  continued.     lie  hid  his  face.     I  uncover- 
ed it,  and  I  implored  him  to  pray  with  me.     .     .     . 
"Later  ! "  answered  ho  in  a  scarcely  articulate  voice. 
,     .     I  fell  on  my  knees,  ami  prayed  fervently. 
The  door  oi)cncd.     The  priest  whom  I  had  sent 
for  came  in  and  hurried   to  the  bedside.     .     .     . 
i>ry  nejihew  tried  to  rise,  Avith  hag.    rd  eyes  and 
tcrrilied  face,  and  he  fell  hack,  murmuring  : 
'•  lie  is  too  late  !  too  late  !     Oh  !  save  me." 
"  0   Lord  !    hut    thy   judgments   are   terrible," 
cried  the  priest.     "  I  have  seen  the  impious,  like 
unto  the  cedar  of  Lelxuion.     I  passed,  and  it  is  no 
more.      This  is  the  ]iunisliment  of  n  badly  spent 


youth  !     rnh:i])i>y  child  !" 


The  (>I,f  C/irsf. 


\(n 


Look  luin  i!i 

i  ;  rcpoiit  of 

0  is  no  (inil  I 

0  iny  t^.car 

.     Kav,  'My 

My  God,  I 

on !    .     .     . 

in  a  cnu'ifiN: 
tnrni'<!  away 
sion   of   lior- 

II  the  room  ? 
After  lliut,  I 

liini,  1)11 1  lii  •• 
I  nnciivt  r- 

nu\     . 

u'ulate  voico. 
ycd  fervently, 
n  I  liad  ,?onfc 
side.     .     .     . 

rd  eyes  and 
luing : 
no  nic." 
are  terrible,'' 
!  impious,  like 
d,  and  it  is  no 
Vi  badly  spent 


'*  Unhappy  father!  unhaiipy  nmthcrl"  cricil  I. 
"  What  a  punishment !'' 

I  left  the  priest,  in  ]iraYer  Iteside  tho?e  dcploralilo 
remains,  and  I  went  to  my  brollier's  room.  He  was 
unconscious  of  his  misfortune.  He  had  been 
stricken  witii  apoplexy,  and  was  in  his  bed  inscn- 
silde.  My  .'■istcr-iu-law,  wlio  had  come  to  herself, 
.■lavo  vent  to  the  bitterness  of  her  maternal  sorrow, 
with  which  deep  remorse  was  mingled. 

"lie  feared  nothine,"  said  fho  to  me,  "and  ho 
loved  only  pleasure.  .  .  .  He  died  a  victim  to 
our  weakness,  our  blindness.  .  .  .  A\  o  have 
killed  iiim  !  Oh!  would  to  Heaven  that  we  had 
been  less  indulgent  to  him  !  Fatal  indulgence!  it 
has  led  him  into  the  al)yss,  and  drags  us  there  with 
him.  O  my  dear  Henri !  where  ai'c  you  ?  "What 
has  become  of  you  ?  '' 

I  spent  lliat  cruel  day  and  the  nox'  witli  my  sis- 
ter-in-law. ]My  wife  also  came.  My  In-other  re- 
nniined  unconscious,  in  a  state  of  utter  helplessness. 
I  tlien  received  bitter  contidenccs.  I  could  not  ex- 
plain the  abseucc  of  Edmond  and  of  Fclicie,  at  this 
fearful  time,  Avhich  lefti  their  mother  alone  over- 
whelmed by  so  many  misfortunes. 

'•Alas  !  brotlicr,"  said  ^[adame  Duchaisne,  '-'wo 
do  not  see  my  daugliter  any  more.  .  .  .  She  is 
in  the  midst  of  the  great  world  of  pleasures,  whicli 
are  perhaps  dangerous.  She  has  given  us  up,  she 
denies  us.  It  is  said  that  her  husband  plays  a  great 
game  ...  ho  is  the  intimate  companion  of 
the  Duke  d'Orleaus  ...  he  is  leagued,  it  is 
said,  against  the  court,  against  our  good  Queen. 
.  .  .  All  this  is  very  alllicting.  ...  I  see 
nothing  in  the  future  but  ruin  and  disaster." 


lG2 


'i hi  Ohl  Cliist 


"Ami  my  iK'pliow.  Kdmoiid  \" 

"  lie  is  in  England  ;  he  is  C(nitcmi)latinp  a  ])iii- 
losophical  Avurk  on  the  ]']ng]isli  constilution." 

"  Very  good.  But  arc  you  salisUed  with  his  con- 
duct and  proceedings  ?'' 

"  "What  siiall  f  eay,  brother  ?  I  sometimes  think 
that  Edniond  finds  us  very  inueli  l)eliind  the  age 


and  very  tiresome. 


Still,  you  know,  my 


husband  has  always  sujtported  the  writers  of  the 
day  and  the  nciv  ideas;  he  has  spent  two  hundred 
thousand  francs  for  the  publication  of  the  *  Ency- 
clopedia'; ho  has  given  pensions  to  the  wits:  he 
had  a  philosopher  us  preceptor  to  our  tons.'' 

These  words  renewed  her  sorrow.  1  laiew 
enough,  and  I  saw  that  ncglecl,  ingratitude,  and 
impieiy  had  left  desolate  the  liouse  of  my  Knliappy 
brother.  All  that  1  learned  by  Ihc  conversation  of 
my  sister-in-law  and  by  the  public  vtico  filled  mo 
•with  consternation.  The  Baron  de  Pont  Avas,  in 
fact,  one  of  the  most  intimate  members  of  those  in- 
famous coteries  of  the  Palais  Royal,  whence  came 
forth  every  day  calumnies  and  libels  which  every 
day  attacked  our  chaste  Queen  end  our  young  and 
virtuous  King.  Edmond  lent  his  pen  to  this  wick- 
edness, which  was  worthy  of  hell,  which  perhaps 
before  long  would  cause  to  break  out  amongst  the 
deceived  people  a  bloody  rebellion  against  the  royal 
av.thority.  The  signs  which  are  precursors  of  the 
storm  are  muttering  around  v.s  ;  prepared  Ij  the 
financial  disasters,  iuwilll.c  con?i;mma!cd  by  jihi- 
losophlcal  writingc.  A.S  for  me,  I  shail  net  ecc 
them  ;  my  life  is  ncnr  its  close.  jMy  infirmities 
■warn  mo  to  prepare  to  leave  the  earth,  ar.d  render 
an  account  to  God  of  fo  many  graces,  and  to  many 


ni." 

li  his  con- 

ncs  tliink 
I  llio  iipo 
;now,  my 
rs  of  llic 

lunulrcd 
c  *  Eiicy- 

wits :  lie 

I    knew 

lido,  i'.ml 
x'.iiliappy 
rsation  of 
lillcd  mc 
t  wiis,  ill 
llio!-e  in- 
ncc  came 
ich  every 

3Ullg   JUld 

LliisAvick- 
1  pcrluips 
ongst  tlie 
tlic  royal 
:iV3  of  I  lie 
cd  ly  the 
d  by  plii- 
1  net  rce 
iifirmitics 
r.d  render 
1  Eo  many 


T/n-  0/J  C/ust. 


i6s 


long  years  of  exislciico,  which  lie  has  granted  v,n\ 
But  if  I  had  not  faith  in  the  aid  of  Providenco,  I 
Avoiild  die  liringing  with  me  to  tlie  grave  the  inont 
lively  anxiety  as  to  the  fate  of  my  dear  ones,  whom 
I  am  going  to  leave  in  the  midst  of  the  storm. 


m 


XV. 


THE   rOXTOOX-MAX   OF   KIJLK. 

Thk  earliest  recollections  ■wliicli  my  memory  re- 
tains arc  the  following  :  my  mother  holding  me  l»y 
the  hand,  and  leading  me  throngh  the  streets  of 
Paris,  Avhich  Averc  full  of  people,  men  in  red  coats 
and  caps,  Avomen  in  diort  gowns,  Avearing  on  their 
heads  largo  tricolorcd  cockades,  ^ly  mother  Avas 
\cry  pale,  and,  Avithout  knowing  why,  I  Avas  very 
much  afraid.  We  arrived  before  a  va.<t  building, 
and  we  stopped  at  an  arched  iron  gate.  Otlier  per- 
sons Avere  waiting  like  ou '■selves,  and  we  could  hear 
in  the  streets  the  voices  of  newsboys  crying :  "  Buy  ! 
buy  !  here  is  the  list  of  the  condemned." 

The  great  door  suddenly  opened  Avitli  a  loud 
noise  ;  a  heavy  vehicle  rolled  under  the  arch,  and 
passed  before  us.  ...  It  Avas  a  large  cart,  on 
Avhich  stood  some  men  bareheaded,  their  hair 
shaved,  and  their  hands  bound  behind  their  back, 
and  Avonien  also  bound,  and  pressed  close  against 
each  other.  Gendarmes  and  soldiers  guarded  tJie 
carriaf'e.  My  mother  took  me  in  her  arms,  held 
me  \\\),  and  said  in  a  loud  voice  : 

"My  child,  say  farewell  to  your  father,  avIio  is 

going  to  die." 

1  looked,  and  saAV  on  the  cart  a  man  who  Avas 
leaning  towards  us,  and  whose  face  T  recognized. 


s 

ll 

o 

SI 
S] 

r( 
V 
11 
n 

C( 

ai 
d 
fii 
ir 
f:i 
m 

St 

•'1 

IK 
hi 


le 

cti 

m 

th 

Pc 
m 


cmory  I'c- 
,ng  luc  liy 
f-ircc'ts  of 
rod  coats 

on  llioir 
utlicr  was 

was  very 
Iniil  cling, 
Dtlior  pcr- 
:oul(l  hear 
5 :  "  Buy  ! 

li  a  loud 
arcli,  and 
0  cart,  on 
licii-  hail' 
licir  back, 
se  against 
ardcd  the 
lYim,  held 

cv,  who  is 

\  who  Avas 
agnized. 


77.:  :  J  Clust.  165 

"  Farewell  ! "'  cried  lie.  "  Farewell,  wife  1  farewell, 
my  child  !"' 

ilo  could  say  no  more,  the  cavt  went  on.  .  .  . 
My  mother's  arms  unclasped,  she  had  fainted. 
.  .  .  No  one  took  any  heed  of  us  ;  she  sat  on  a 
stone,  pale  and  exhausted  ;  and,  when  the  crowd 
had  dispersed,  she  made  a  llnal  ed'ort,  and  regained 
our  lodging,  dragging  herself  along  by  the  houses, 
supporting  herself  against  the  walls.  She  did  not 
speak  ;  but  I  remember  (hat  she  became  very 
red,  and  lier  eyes  shone  with  a  strange  light. 
We  thus  reached  our  ])oor  room  on  the  lifth 
floor,  liiie  Culture-Sainle-Calherine.  'i'here  my 
mother  fell  into  a  chair,  like  a  person  over- 
come, Avith  fatigue  ;  and  flic  day  passed, 
and  the  hours  of  tlic  inght  slipped  by,  and  still  she 
did  not  awake  from  the  stii[)or  into  which  she  had 
fallen.  I  dared  w^i  s])eak  nor  stir.  I  thouglit  my 
mother  Mas  asleej),  and  I  was  half  dead  witli  fear, 
fatigue,  and  hunger.  Towards  the  middle  of  the 
next  day  a  neighboi-,  who  sometimes  rendered  some 
services  to  my  mother,  knocked  at  our  door ;  I 
opened  it  softly,  making  her  a  sign  to  make  no 
noise.  She  ajiproached,  looked  at  my  mother,  took 
her  hand,  and  said  : 

"My  poor  child,  your  mamma  is  very  sick  !'' 

The  day  passed  thus  ;  the  good  neighbor  did  not 
leave  us  ;  she  made  some  tisane,  but  she  dared  not 
call  in  a  physician. 

"One  docs  not  know  whom  to  trust,"  said  she  to 
me.  "  Your  mamma  has  been  ricli,  perhaps  noble  ; 
that  would  bo  seen  at  once,  and  the  doctor  would 
perhaps  send  her  to  i)ri»on.  .  .  .  There  arc  so 
many  bad pooplo  aroaal  ii~.     .     .     .'' 


l6G 


The  Old  Clu-sl. 


l\ry  mother  soomeil  I')  ho  (Ivin;: ;  slic  n'cn;:,'iiizcil 
mo,  Imt  slu"  (.'oultl  not  ;-|u'ak.  Towiirtl-;  iiiuniiiii,' 
kIic  mado  an  elTovt,  jind  suid  lo  our  iiciglilior  : 

"Cto  and  bring  Vix.  Blutoau  to  mo,  lie  lives  at 
the  entresol  ;*  .  .  .  tell  him  that  the  Widow 
Duehaisno  would  like  lo  speak  to  him." 

Tho  neighbor  obeyed  ;  kIio  soon  returned,  follow- 
cd  by  an  old  man  with  white  hair,  very  poorly  clad. 
My  motlicr  clasped  her  hands  on  peeing  him,  and 
mado  him  approach  the  bed  ;  tlio  neighbor  with- 
drew. I  saw  that  my  mother  spoke  in  a  low  voico 
to  Mr.  Bluteau,  that  ho  listened  attentively  with  a 
gentle  and  recollected  air.  She  llnislied  ;  ho  said 
u  few  words,  raised  his  right,  hand,  and  made  tho 
sign  of  the  cross.  .  .  .  My  mother's  face  sccm- 
oi  peaceful  and  radiant;  she  called  me,  put  my 
hand  in  that  of  the  old  m:in,  and  .said  : 

"  Father,  I  recommend  this  orphan  to  you." 

I  s;>w  her  fall  back  on  her  pillow,  and  l)ecomo 
paler.  ...  I  do  not  very  well  know  what 
happened  ;  the  old  m::n  took  me  with  him  into  a 
very  poor  little  room,  Avhero  ho  lived  ah)ne.  lie 
treated  mo  with  much  kindness,  and  I  soon  loved 
him  tenderly,  and  cared  for  no  one  else.  ^Ir. 
Bluteau  received  no  one  ;  but  he  often  AVdit  out, 
and  I  remarked  that  before  going  ho  knelt  down 
and  said  a  short  prayer ;  on  returning,  he  would 
cLisp  me  in  his  arms,  saying  : 

"  Let  us  thank  God,  niy  dear  child  ;  he  has  saved 
mo  once  more.     .     .     ." 

I  understood  nothing  of  all  this  ;  but  I  prayed 
to  God,  as  my  benefactor  bade  me  do.    Three  years 

*  Lobby  or  Rm.'ill  room  l)etween  two  stories. 


•fon^fiiizcii 
!  iiiuniiiii^ 
l)(ir  : 

10    livi'S    111 

ho  Willow 

I'll,  follow- 
)i)rly  chul. 

liiiii,  iiml 
ibor  witli- 
,  low  voico 
cly  Avitli  ;i 
1  ;  lio  said 

niiido  tho 
fiico  sccm- 
t>,  put  iny 

yon." 
id  l)cconio 
now  wliiit 
liini  into  u 
done.  lie 
50011  loved 
ihc.      Mr. 

Avor.t  out, 
nolt  down 

lie  would 

c  liiis  saved 

t I  prayed 
riirec  years 

:ies. 


'/■//<■  (  v./  C  'Ws/. 


J  67 


J):13sihI  t!iu-!  ;  1  wa^  t'lca  iiJ!)-.'  or  t.'U  years  old,  :■(' 
I  b-\2[an  t>  iinder.U  i!i  1  my  i))siii:i:i  a:rl  t!iaL  of  t! 
pojd  old  mm  who  t.iok  sacli  fatherly  caro  ol"  m.'. 
Mr.  IMuteaii  was  a  priest  ;  lu)  liad  baon  pastor  of 
one  of  th;>  liuost  parislios  in  Paris,  and,  not  wishing 
t-)  abandon  his  iljek  in  tlio  midst  of  tho  storm,  lio 
ha  1  liidd.'n  liinisjif,  under  a  disguise,  and  at  t!io 
peril  of  liii  life,  wliich  was  risked  many  timoa  in  a 
clay  ;  he  usad  to  go  and  cijl'brato  ^Nlass  in  tlie  cel- 
lars, peuetratj  into  tlio  hosi)itil.s,  and  even  into  tho 
prisons;  lio  confessed  Uio  dying  and  those  con- 
demned; and,  in  s;:  .  „'  his  advanced  age,  ho 
diily  mMlti[»liod  the  ;; -or  e',  (d'  liis  charity  and 
g))l  works.  My  i>  i)o,>  ,  kaowu  iiiiii  in  I) 'Iter 
days  ;  s!io  ha  1  sv  •  lu  ■-  ii,Miu,  wlion,  strii)ped  of 
her  goods,  feariu'r  ;  >i  nv  father'.s  life,  she  had 
reached  the  doptii  of  .nisi'ortuiio  ;  she  had  called 
him  iu  at  her  I  'ne»nent,  and  to  tfiis  veneralilo 
priest  slio  owed  .,e  only  consolation  wliicli  she 
could  receive  hero  bolow  :  tho  final  absolution  and 
the  hojio  that  I  should  not  bo  forsaken. 

Mr.  Bluteau  instructed  while  he  conversed  v;it!i 
mo  ;  and,  when  I  had  reached  my  eleventh  year, 
ho  sometimes  allowed  mo  to  aeconiiiany  him  in  his 
apostolic  visits,  now  loss  dangerous  than  when  tho 
guillotine  arose  in  P.iris,  but  which  must  still  bo 
aoiMuipaniod  with  prudoaco  and  with  secree^ .  I 
roaumbor  one  evening  a  woni  in  cjvcred  witli  rags 
came  t.}  sock  him,  and  said  to  hiai  in  a  low  voice  a 
Avord  wliieh  made  him  sliudder.  lie  immediately 
prepared  to  go  oat,  and  I  beggod  him  to  let  me  go 
Avith  him. 

"  Cumo  !"  said  he,  "  my  child,  and  pray  to  God 
for  the  young  patient  Avliom  we  are  going  to  sec." 


f! 


ir.s 


77/<  (>/,/  C7tiS/. 


W'c  fiot  out,  suidiMl  l>y  tlio  woman,  wlio  lol  ih 
tliroiigh  one  of  tlio  darkost  nivwU  luljoinin;,'  Ujc 
Piihun  (h  Jiislirr  ;  nhc  liron^'Ut  ns  across  ii  nnuMy 
alley  and  up  a  Btalrcaso,  wliich  socuu'd  ciuUcss  to 
mo;  arrivi'd  at  tlic  top  slory,  she  opened  a  door, 
and  introdueed  us  into  a  kind  of  ganvt,  whore,  on 
a  nuscnil)le  bed,  lay  a  man  who  seemed  very  near 
death.  The  face  of  this  man  had  a  fearful  e\- 
])rossion  ;  the  hlo  )d  which  ho  had  lost  in  a  violent 
haMnorrha^'i!  had  saturated  his  clothes,  his  arms, 
and  his  chest,  and  Ik^  itushed  from  him,  with  a 
feeble  but  furious  hand,  tlie  blood-stained  clothes, 
repeating,'  : 

''  Take  away  that  blood,  take  It;  away  !  There  is 
enough  of  it ;  there  is  enough  of  it  !    .     .     ." 

At  sight  of  us  an  old  woman,  who  sat  beside  the 
bed,  arose,  approached  the  tiick  man,  and  said  to 
him  aloud  ; 

"  llerc  is  the  citizen-priest.     ..." 

At  the-;e  words,  the  sick  man's  face  showed  inex- 
pressible terror  and  grief. 

"  What  use  is  it  ?"  cried  ho  ;  "  there  is  no  merey 

for  me  1 " 

"My  friend,  the  nu.'cy  of  God  makes  no  cxcei)- 
tion,"  answered  Mr.  Bluteau. 

"  But  I— I !  who  killed  more  than  sixty  priests  at 
the  Carmes." 

"  Well,  my  son,"  answered  my  benefactor,  "  thank 
God,  who  has  saved  one  to  absolve  you  !"* 

I  do  not  know  wh:it  elTect  these  words  produccil 
on  the  unhappy  man  ;  he  softened,  and  tears  gush- 
ed from  his  eyes ;  he  allowed  .Mr.  Bluteau  to  take 

*  Historioal. 


n 
r< 

tl 

HI 

lU 

til 
tl' 

br 
li( 

ne 


(III 

UK 

th; 
J  a 
abi 

do 

bUl 

till 

Di 

])ai 

of 

ask 

I  w 

the 

SIC 


T 


vlli)    IctI    IH 

joining'  1!m' 
13  11  iiudiiy 

oiuUc-ss  to 
10(1  u  door, 
,  wlioro,  on 
I  very  near 
fc';irful  o\- 
iii  ii  violont 

his  arms, 
iin,  wilh  ii 
K'll  clodics, 

!     Tluvois 

t  hosiilo  Uio 
unl  said  to 


liowod  incx- 

is  no  mercy 

)3  no  exct'p- 

:ty  priests  at 

tor,  "  thank 

Is  product'(l 
I  iPfirsgiisli- 
tciiu  to  take 


V7if  OU  C/icst. 


169 


him  hy  tlie  liaml  ;  and  we  went  iino  an  adjoiiuiig 
room,     lu  iIki  cv-'iiinL,'  h<'  said  to  nio  : 

'•  Tliat  Midi  qipy  niai  dii'd  I  1  \KKiw  \  Id  us  Idi-sa 
the  l.(»rd  ! "  !((•  tlioiiglil  for  a  moment,  and  re- 
iiinncd  : 

"Tlic  samt' hand  wliicli  Iium  just  uhsolvod  that 
niiirdercv  al).Mht.'d  tlic  Qiicvn  Mane  Aiitoiiicii.' ; 
the  same  hand  lias  hrokiM  f,)r  tlic  as-a.ssiii  of  ,So|i- 
tt'inln'raiid  fort'i-.i  d,iii;,'Ii(i'rof  liu' Ct'sars  I  Ik^  sacred 
hrtadof  tlic  i':aciiarisl  ;  .  .  .  U  ctonial  Mcivy  .» 
Jiow  iiu'lTalde  are  tliy  deerees." 

f  \va^  still  Hcluld,  I)iit  the  name  of  Mario  Antoi- 
iK'ltc,  wliic'li  1  liad  so  often  Iipanl  repeated,  awoke 
uiy  curiosity. 

*•  You  have  seen  the  Queen,  father  •'"  sal  1  I. 
'•  ViV,  my  cliild,"  answered  jn'  ;  -and,  altliou;,di 
yoa  are  only  ;i  child,  I  will  relate  it  t)  you,  so  that 
one  (lay,  wlio'.i  I  sliall  hj  dwid,  yuu  can  give  testi- 
mony t(j  the  Cliristian  sentiments  wiiich  animated 
that  much  calumniated  (^icen.  Kcmemln'r  what 
J  a:ii  going  to  tell  you,  my  dear  child.  The  Queen  was 
about  to  bo  tried,  and  the  issue  of  her  trial  was  very 
douhtfnl  ;  noou'j  was  admitted  to  see  her  ;  she  was 
t-uirering  alone  in  the  depth  of  her  prison,  when 
three  h(dy  ladies,  Sister  Jeanne,  Sister  Julia, 
Daughters  of  Charity,  und  Miss  Foucher,  the  coni- 
])anion  of  their  good  works,  obtained  from  the  wife 
of  t!ie  lurnkey  aceess  to  her  cell.  The  (^iicen  only 
asked  them  for  one  thing — a  jiriest. 

"  Mi  -s  Foucher  came  to  seek  me.  and  asked  mo  if 
I  would  risk  my  life  to  briii;;  to  ^Marie  Antoinette 
the  aids  of  religion,  I  aeeepted  wiili  pleasure  that 
siered  duly,  and  I  was  inlraduccd  into  the  presence 
of  the  royal  cajitlve.     Sii?  made  her  CDufossion  ;  f 


■If 

! 


J«' 


170 


Tlu-  Old  Chat, 


fiu\c'  licironiiuuiiioii  with  llicSiuml  IIohI  wlii.li  I 
liad  hw\v^\\\   it>  niv  watdi  ;  I  hiiw,  iny  aoiii'  cliil.l, 
tours  (.r  JMV  nal  .l..wn  tlio  iKiks  ciuacuitotl  cheeks  of 
the  i»o()r  QiUM'ii.  the  i.oor  wiili>w,  the  |H).)r  mother. 
The  ew  ot'  tlie  ilav  <>n  which  alie  wii.-*  letl 
io  ihcKMlToM.  thanks  to  the  j;.....!  Mi.-*/,  F.melier,  1 
wa.^  enahle.l  t..  celehratc  H..lv  Mas^  ii.  the  Queen  « 
luurlmeiit;   h1»o  again   reeeive.l  coniMmiuoi.    an.l 
was  r..tiil,'il,  l.v  the  rceoption  of   tlie  Must  lloly 
Vieliiii,  againnt  the  terrors  of  il.Mth.    .    .    ,     'I'Ium, 
n,y  Ko:,,  is  a  rceollcction  whi.'i  is  my  glory  an.l  coii- 
Bohiti.m;  rememhcr  what  I  have  sil.l,  t^o  lliat,  if 
one  (hy  MariJ  Antoiiielto  i^  hl.imeil  lu  your  pre- 
Bcn.'e.  you  e  n.  .lefen.l  her,  ami  attest  that  bIic  died 
witli  a^'  nuuM  cimra-e  an  faith,  with  as  niuel>  piety 
as  ini'ekiu's-:.     ...  ,11 

Mv  l.ouef.irtor  eould  s ly  no  more;  toara  choked 
Ins  s-.L'e::ii,  and  the  iv(U)llecti<.n  of  the  (Jueen  always 
made  them  How  abundanUy.  1  have  written  t.n. 
short  actr.unt,  as  hcuug  one  of  th.  thin'M  that  most 
struck  ino  in  the  c..ur.ic  of  my  hfo.  .  .  •  1  have 
but  littlo  t:,  relato  of  myself;  1  have  lived  obscure 
and  alono  :  I  have  lived  more  in  the  life  of  others 
tlnn  in  my  ..wn,  and  the  thoughts,  the  words  Nyhieh 
inn.iTsse  rmo  ii  my  childhood  como  back  again  in 
mv  ..Id  ng.,  and  ke:«i>  n»o  c:.m;.any  in  my  sohUuIe. 

I  h  id  Vea.;hed  mv  thirteoi.Ui  year,  when  I  had 
the  misfortune  of  losing  my  benefactor,  my  second 
father  lie  died  almost  suddenly,  after  a  day  of 
excessive  fatigue.     A  sever,  attack  of  pneumonia 

*It  i<  well  kao-.vn  fn':  t'.i>  Qx-o.>  roccvvd  Communi.m 
Hovorultimc,  in  her  pris.n,  from  tl.o  iKvn.ls  of  Mr.  MaRmre,  pas- 
tor of  Saint-(icrnrun-l'Ausorrois.  Ex.-i.t  the  nam.  of  Mr. 
DUtcau,  cvcrytbiug  ia  oiu-  litory  ia  historic. 


(• 

III 
\s 

is 

HO 
W 

hil 

1 1 

Sl.( 

an 

mi 

wi 
thi 

CO  I 

als 
eei 
alo 
i.f 

WCi 

thi 
ori, 

11 IV 

tiui 
kiK 
Bh 
of 

am: 
jew 

I'i'l 
I)u< 


/■//.•  0/,l  C/iist. 


>7i 


*\  wllicll  I 
Ifiir  cliild, 
1  cheeks  «)f 
)r  inotlii'i". 
lie  wiiH  It'll 
Fdiu'licr,  I 

II'    QlH'Cll's 

iniiiii,  anil 
Most  Holy 
.  .  This, 
[•V  iiud  con- 
m  that,  if 
your  i)rc- 
at  b'Uo  ilioil 
nuch  piety 

ill;)  choked 
icon  always 
tvrittcn  tlii.-i 
^  that  most 
.     I  have 
n.v\  ohsc'tiru 
0  of  otlu'i-rf 
Ycu'ds  vyhich 
ick  again  in 
»y  solitiulo. 
vheu  I  had 
,  my  Bccond 
;ci'  a  day  of 
piiounjouia 

,1  Cornmunion 
•.  MuRuire,  pas- 
;  ii;imo  of  Mr. 


cirric  1  liim  olT  in  u  few  lioiirs.  WvUnv  lie  dicl.  ho 
iiiad(3  my  ajti>roacli,aii(lsliou{'i!  me  ;i  little  linx  that 
Was  under  t!io  hed,  and  said  to  me  : 

"My  dear  child,  lliat  Itox  y,  ,i\\  wlmt  it  contains 
is  youri  ;  my  (h'  J/ord  preserve  yon,  my  dear 
"""J  •  •  •  lf-'mi'in!»er  iiim,  and  he  will  remem- 
ber you.     .     .     .     Farewell,  I'ierre."    .     .     . 

My  dear  father  died  a  ipiarter  of  an  iionr  after  ho 
had  .spoken  to  mv  ;  he  died  ci'inand  j  .yoiH,  as  if 
hehadaj,dimpscof  heiiven.  I  remained  alone.  .  .  . 
I  Inive  sometimes  «'onyoun;r  trees  rooted  up  hv  the 
Klorm,  and  cast  without  aipport  o:i  the  frroiind, 
and  I  liavo  thoii.,Hit  that  their  fate  resemhied 
mine.     .     .     . 

Jly  henefac'tor   was   huried  witliout   pomj)   and 
witiiout  prayer.     The  remains  of  this  just  man,  of 
this  holy  and  virtuous  priest,  were  tlirown  into  u 
corner  of  the  coinetcry  of  .Sainte-Jrargnerile,  where 
also  rests  the  i)o,]y  of  tlic  little  Dauphin,  wiio  re- 
cently  died  in  tlie  Tem]>le.     I  followeil  tlie  hearse 
alone,  and  I  returned  alone  to  the  deserted  roo  •., 
■of  wiiicii  the  proprietor  allowed  me  possession  for  a 
week.     'J'here  I  tried  to  recollect  myself,  and  to 
think  of  what  I  should  do  ;  I  scarcely  knew  wliat  my 
origin  was  ;  my  heacfactor  had  only  told  mo  that 
my  i)arents  had  died  during  the  Ilovolution,  and 
t!iat  I  had  neither  friends  nor  foitunc.     ...     I 
know  nothing  more.     I  took  the  l)o\  which  Mr. 
Uluteau  had  shown  mo;  I  found  in  it  a  large  roll 
of  parchments  and  ])apers  which  seemed  very  old, 
and  the  writing  of  whicli  I  could  not  read,  a  little 
jewel-case  containing  a  wedding-ring,  and  a  folded 
|>apcr,    on  Avhich  were  tiiese  words,  '•  For  Pierre 
Duchaisne,"  written  in  my  henefacfoi's  hand  : 


H 

i 


:  i' 


f 


ii[ 


172 


Tlic  Old  Chest. 


m\ 


"Those,  my  dear  cliild,  :u-c  nil  tho  piirliculars 
which  I  can  give  you  regarding  your  family,     x 
have  known  it  fur  a  long  time  ;  it  was  to  y-ur 
{rrand-unclo,  Antoine  Ducliai^uo,  the  notary,  that  1 
owed  the  bcnellts  of  eduoation.     lie  had  seen  mc 
when  only  a  child,  and  finding  in  me  some  inclma- 
tion  for  study,  ho  defrayed  tho  expenses  of  my  in- 
struction, and  to  him  I  owe  the  happiness  of  being 
admitted  to  tho  piicsthood.     1  knew  his  brother, 
the  farmer-general,  vour  grandfather,  wlio,  in  con- 
se.iuoncc  of  family  misfortunes,  died  overcome  ly 
infirmities  of  mind  and  body.     You  are  bis  grand- 
son, the  son  of  Edmund  Duchaisne  and  L.ouide 
ViUedieu.     Your  poor  father  was  imbued  witu  the 
philosophical  ideas;    but   God   permitted    thata 
Christian  wife  should  open  his  eyes,  and  that  mis- 
fortune should  finish  the  purification  of  Ins  soul. 
The  Revolution  stripped  him  of  his  wealtn  ;  Ins 
former  connecti.)n   with    tho    unfortunate    Du.o 
d'Orloans  caused  him  to  be  suspected  ;    lie   was 
arrested,  brought  before  tho  Revolutionary  .  nl,un:il 
and  condemned  to  death.      One   of    my   wor.hy 
brethren,  Avho  was  in   the  same  prison   as  your 
father,  but  who  survived  him,  assured  me  that  he 
prepared  himself  for  death  by  tne  must  Christian 

sentiment.  ,   i  ■    i    .. 

*«  Your  excellent  mother,  whom  I  attended  m  hei 
last  moments,  died  tho  death  of  the  just.  Your 
aunt,  Madame  the  Baroness  do  Pons,  died  m  prison, 
and,  doubtless,  the  mercy  of  God  visited  her  m  her 

last  hours.  i       a, 

<'The  two  daughters  of  your  grand-unce,  An- 
toine, were  married  in  the  provinces.  One  of  thorn 
died  wiiliout  leaving  any  children,  the  other  euu- 


c 
f 
I 
t 
I 

S 

P 
a 

0 

Sv 

S( 

(i 


t{ 

n 
ri 

ill 
y( 

S( 

B 

k 

fl! 

e: 
ai 


The  Old  Clust. 


173 


mi'ticulais 
family.  I 
,3  tv)  yui" 
Liry,  that  1 
1(1  seen  nic 
lie  inclina- 

of  my  in- 
ss  of  being 
is  brotlier, 
lio,  in  coii- 
•crcomc  by 

bis  gnind- 
1(1  L'jouido 
3d  with  the 
tod    that  11 
1  that  luis- 
)f  bis  soul, 
rtcaltn  ;  bis 
uatc    D ;!■!■; c 
d ;    bo    was 
iyTi'il)unal 
my  AvorLhy 
on  as  your 
mc  that  bo 
it  Christian 

mdod  in  her 
just.  Your 
cd  in  prison, 
d  ber  in  her 

L-unclo,  An- 
Uuc  of  thoni 
I  other  emi- 


grated to  Sjialn,  and  I  have  found  it  impossible  to 
get  any  tidings  of  her.  You  are,  therefo:e,  my 
dear  child,  alone  on  the  earth  ;  but  God  is  your 
father  and  protector,  and  I  venture  to  hope  that  the 
Divine  Goodness  will  permit  me  to  see  you  grow  np 
to  man's  estate.  .  ,  .  If  not,  niyehild,  trust  in 
Providence,  and  do  not  be  ashamed  to  work.  .  .  . 
]\ran  is  born  to  labor,  as  the  bird  to  lly.  .  .  . 
Serve  God  in  whatever  positi(ni  you  may  be  ;  serve 
your  conntiy,  love  your  brethren,  and  do  as  much 
good  as  yon  can. 

"  I  place  in  tiiis  box  with  this  paper  a  roll  of 
])archment,  saved  by  your  mother  when  they  were 
about  to  put  the  seals  on  her  effects,  the  certificate 
of  your  birth,  and  your  mother's  wedding-ring, 
Vhich  was  the  only  piece  of  jewelry  she  possessed 
when  dying.  Wliatever  becomes  of  us,  my  dear 
son,  remember  your  adopted  father,  and  pray  to 
(lod  for  him, 

"Xayieu  Bluteau. 
"Paris,  the  24t]i  of  February  of  the  year  1799." 

I  read  this  paper  weeping  ;  then  I  began  to  pray 
to  God  and  to  reflect.  I  saw  very  well  that  I  iiad 
no  help  to  expect  from  any  one  ;  no  one  was  inte- 
rested in  me;  the  institutions  of  charity,  so  nu- 
merous now,  either  existed  no  longer  or  Inid  not 
yet  arism  from  their  ruins.  1  might  i)erliaps  have 
soliciteil  th.o  charity  of  some  of  those  to  whom  ^Mr. 
Bluteau  had  rendered  services,  and  whose  names  I 
knew,  but  I  did  not  venture  to  seek  them,  and 
finding  myself  tall  and  strong,  I  thought  I  could 
earn  a  living  for  myself.  I  had  no  great  choice  ; 
and  following  the  natural  bent  of  the  times  in  which 


t74 


The  Old  Clicst. 


I  lived,  I  went  to  the  iiciircst  biirrack  ami  enlisted 
as  a  lifer.  I  concealed  my  papers  iu  my  clothes,^  I 
huug  my  mother's  ring  and  ]Mr.  Bluteau's  little  sil- 
ver cross  around  my  neck,  and,  after  having  hid 
farewell  to  the  last  resting-i)lace  of  my  dear  hene- 
factor,  I  set  out  for  the  regiment  to  which  I  was 
assigned. 

It  was  thus  I  became  a  soldier.     I  did  my  duty, 
hut,  although  I  was  neither  more  cowardly  nor  more 
stupid  than  another,  I  did  not  rise  from  the  obscure 
ranks  of  the  army,  and  thus  I  made  all  the  cam- 
paigns of  the  consulate  and  of  tlie  empire,  under- 
going many  fatigues,  braving  many  dangers,  for  a 
work  which  we  thought  then  would  be  immortal. 
I  had  many  happy  ycai-s,  and,  although  I  was  con- 
founded with  the  crowd,  I  felt  the  ardor  of  battle 
as  well  as  the  commander-in-chief  or  the  marshal 
whose  voice  rang  through  our  squadrons.     I  was 
young  ;  the  wandering  and  exciting  life  of  camps 
pleased  me,  and  I  faced  death  without  fear  when  it 
came  in  the  shadow  of  the  Hag.     I  will  not  relate 
anything  of    our  wars    ...     to  what  purpose 
would  it  be  ?    They  are  written  in  the  memory  of 
every  one.     I  will  not  say  that  I  was  brave— whore 
is  the  use?    All  were  brave.     I  will  not  complain 
of  having  been  forgotten— why  should  1  ?     Others 
more  worthy  than  I  have  remained  forgotten  in  the 
crowd.     One  service  alone  deserved  some  reward, 
but  in  the  midst  of  public  disasters  it  was  natural 
that  this  service  should  remain  without   glory  or 

honor. 

It  was  during  the  fatal  retreat  of  1813.  Tiie  army 
was  marching  to  the  Ik'ri'zina,  and  neither  the  em- 
peror nor  his  generals  knew  where  to  cross  the  river. 


I 

1 
c 

d 
c 
t 
f 
r 
1 
li 

6 
11 
C 

b 
o 

V 
0 

i 
c 

V 

e 
n 

0 

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c 
t 

li 
I 

8 


1«t 


The  Old  Chest. 


175 


1  enlisted 
clothes,  I 
i  littlf  sil- 
iiviiip  bill 
ilear  ])eno- 
lich  I  was 

.  niy  tlutv, 
^  nov  nioi'O 
he  obscure 

the  cam- 
ire,  niulcr- 
igers,  for  ii 
immortal. 
I  was  con- 
)r  of  battle 
le  marsha.l 
ms.  I  was 
:  of  camps 
Mir  when  it 

not  relate 
at  purpose 
memory  of 
live — whore 
t  Cum  plain 
I  ?  Others 
)ttcn  in  the 
mc  reward, 
,vas  natural 
it   glory  or 

.  The  army 
her  the  cm- 
ss  the  rivei'. 


It  was  decided  to  throw  out  a  bridge  whicli  would 
permit  the  passage  to  bu  iiuuk*.  1  was  serving  iu  u 
company  of  pontoon  men.  General  Ebli',  our  com- 
mander, amidst  tlie  greatest  misrortunes,  in  the 
disorder  in  whicli  the  army  iiud  l)cen  since  tlie 
evacuation  of  Moscow,  had  succeeded  in  si.ving  his 
traveUing-f urges,  tools,  coal,  and  had  even  made  us 
forge  crami)-irons  from  tlie  wlicels  of  deserted  car- 
riages. This  Aviso  precaution  was  the  salvation  of 
the  army.  We  descended  the  licights  which  over- 
look the  Bi'ivzina ;  we  saw  l)cfore  us  tlic  river, 
Avhoso  troubled  waves  were  covered  with  driftinfr 
Biiow-lhikes;  this  was  the  held  of  battle  where  we 
must  eithoi-  conquer  or  die,  for  the  safety  of  our 
comrades-in-arms  and  our  em])ero]-. 

During  the  night  of  the  'XTiX'.x  and  -.'Gth  of  Novem- 
ber I  went  down  with  my  comjianions  into  the  bed 
of  the  river.  I  planted  the  first  stake  in  the  mud 
wliere  our  feet  could  not  rest  securely.  The  force 
of  the  waves  had  washed  away  the  ford  ;  plunging 
into  the  Avater  up  to  the  mouth,  l)ouuinbed  witii 
cold,  blinded  by  tlie  snow-flakes  whicli  a  llcrce  wind 
was  blowing  in  our  faces,  it  required  a  superhuman 
effort  for  us  to  continue  our  work.  There  was 
neither  moon  nor  stars  in  the  sky  ;  we  had  light 
only  from  the  enemy's  camp-fires  ;  one  of  my  com- 
rades died  from  cold  beside  me,  two  others  were 
carried  aAvay  by  the  l)]ocks  of  ice  ;  liut  we  had  no 
time  to  mourn  tlie  dead.     .     .     . 

When  day  liroko  the  trestles  of  the  bridge  were 
half  ]daced,  and,  by  a  miracle  of  rrovidence,  the 
Russian  army  fell  back.  Xajjoleon's  star  Avas  still 
sliiuing  on  that  day. 

For  tAVO  days  avo  continued  our  Avoi'k,  Avithout 


'Wi 


xy(> 


I'lh    (  */</  C  '//('^"''■ 


t,ilviii'4  aiiv  msl ;  the  Kmi'crov  jcnl  us  wonirs  of  cn- 
c;)un.geniciit.  Gouenil  Ehlr  was  in  i!io  water  liko 
oursokcd  :  bo  consoled  u;>,  ho  proniisud  us  each  u 
pension  of  ii  thousand  francs  and  the  Cross  cf  the 
Le-ion  of  Honor.  .  .  .  I  know  not  it  my  com- 
pmions  thonirht  as  I  did,  but  it  scorned  to  mo 
t'.iat  neither  money,  nor  even  the  star  Aviiich 
sliinosou  the  breast  (if  otir  kings,  could  roeompcnso 
our  efforts  nor  repay  our  sufferings.  ...  It 
required  Gomcthing  more  :  there  is  u  God  above  us. 
Often,  during  those  terrible  hours,  I  pressed 
to  mv  brer.st  my  !)ouei'aotor's  cross.  .  .  .  'i'lio 
Cro:,s'on  which"' the  Son  of  God  died  for  men  en- 
couraged me  still  more  than  the  Cross  of  the 
LG:;ion  of  Honor. 

At  last,  on  the  ^Sth  of  November,  the  two  bridges 
Avci    finished,  and  the  army,  crowding  on  the  river 
ba.ik-,  began  to  crosa  with  indescribable  tumult  and 
disci'der.     Three  times  the  bridge  made  of  carriages 
i-.roke,  three  times  we  mended  it ;  buj^  finding  our- 
si'lves  again  together  at  work,  and  counting  each 
o<her,  ^°c  were  struck  with  pity  and  ^vith  teiTor. 
•;>a.  of  forty-two  pontoon-men  who  had  gone  into 
tae  water  to  lay  the  bridge,  twenty-eight  had  given 
v/av  to  the  cold,  or  had  been  carried  away  by  the 
floating  :-e.     There  were  fourteen  of  us  like  ghosts  ; 
but  our  Ik  arts  remained  whole.    The  army  passed  ; 
uftor  it  camT  a  tumultuous  crowd  of  stragglers,  who, 
having  been  dispersed  in  the  neighboring  woods  and 
Furrotuiding  villages,  at  sound  of  the  departing 
;u-mv  rushed  thither  all  at  once.      Their  immense 
and"  confused  mass  fdled  to  overflowing  the  narrow 
entrance  to  the  bridges.     Crushed,  trodden  under 
foot,   thrown  into  the  water,   these  unfortunate 


i\s  of  cu- 
I'litcr  lilvO 
.13  cadi  u 
ss  cf  the 

my  coni- 
(1  to  mo 
:ir  Avhic'li 
compcuso 

.  .  It 
iibove  us. 
,  I  pressed 
.  .  The 
•  men  cii- 
!S   of    the 

vo  briilgcs 
I  the  river 
imult  iinJ. 
f  carriages 
idin<7  our- 
iting  eiicli 
Ui   terror, 
gone  into 
liud  given 
,vay  by  the 
kc  gliosis ; 
iiy  passed  ; 
glers,  who, 
woods  and 
dcp:uting 
r  inimengo 
Iho  narrow 
Iden  under 
nfortunatc 


r//i-  Old  Clicst. 


'  /  / 


pco])k'  uttered  cries  of  agony  ;  and  the  disorder  lie- 
camo  sliU  greater  when  the  Emperor  came  in  his 
turn  to  cross  the  bridge.  Force  had  to  bo  used  to 
clear  a  v/ayfor  liini ;  .surrounded  by  the  Grc;nidiers 
of  the  Gaard,  ho  jjassed  before  r.ie  over  tliat  bridge 
which  my  companions  had  sealed  with  their  blood, 
and  bearing  with  him,  as  we  thought,  the  hope  and 
the  Eidvation  of  Franco. 

jMiiuites  became  more  precious  than  hours.  The 
Kussian  cannons  were  heard  from  the  heights. 
Marshal  Victor,  v.ith  six  thousand  men,  Avas  de- 
fending alone,  o\\  the  banks  of  that  cursed  river, 
the  great  retreating  army,  wliieh  in  its  despair 
and  anguish  was  like  to  that  multitude  wliicli  v>ill 
one  day  fill  the  Valley  of  Judgment.  Fifty  thou- 
sand stragglers,  tick  or  wounded,  an  imnicn.':e 
mass  of  luggage,  still  more  embarrassed  the  march. 
For  more  than  two  dayy  the  cold  and  misei-y  Mere 
such  that  the  vanguard  had  lost  a  third  of  its  num- 
ber, most  cf  them  young.  TIio  bullets,  lalUug  in 
the  midst  of  this  confusion,  drove  these  ..Mfo"tu- 
nates  to  tlie  last  depths  of  despair.  TI.o  strongest 
and  most  solid  men  passed  on  ;  some,  Aviih  sword 
in  hand,  opened  for  themselves  a  passage  ;  others 
attempted  to  scale  the  sides  of  the  bridge,  and  -fell 
into  the  Avatcr,   which  carried  them  oT.  .     . 

The  artillery  bridge,  being  overcrowded.  a.cVC  way 
and  broTvo  ;  the  live  column  which  was  on  i  ^  liarrow 
Ijassage  attempted  to  go  back.  Tliey  oould  not, 
and,  pushed  by  the  cr^  d  from  behind,  it  foil  into 
the  gulf,  where  tlio.-  <  lo  followed  tliem  were  p""- 
cipitatcd  in  their  t;: 

A  single  bridge  remained  ;  it  v.-as  besieged.  .  .  . 
Oh!  what  hours.      ".  furious  storm  arose  and  o\er- 


I 


11 


ifti: 


178 


The  Old  Chest. 


t.ok  that  nias3  of  men,  who  ^vcrc  doscciuling  the 
Iiei-rlits  to  rush  toward  tho  only  path  of  tafcty.    i  He 
noise  of  tho  cannon  mingled  wilk  the  howhnrr  of 
the  tempest,  and  at  times  arose  a  sound  formed  of 
many  voices,   a  chorus  of  himcntation  and  bhis- 
phemv,  which  was  heard  above  tho  tumult  of  the 
Btorm'.     The  more  fortunate  gained  the  bridge,  but 
by  passing  over  heaps  of  wounded,  of  luilf-stiflcd 
Av-omen  and  children.     The  stronger  overthrew  tho 
weaker,  who  fell  into  the  water,  without  any  one 
turnin-  their  heads  to  look  after  them,  or  even  con- 
ceiving the  thought  of  pitying  them.     Every  one 
thought  only  of  himself  ;  every  one  wished  onlyto 
live,  and  see  Franco  onco  more.     Towards  nine 
o'clock  in  tlie  evening  the  distress  increased  ;  ^  mo- 
tor's battalions  began  their  march,  and  opened  tv 
bloody  breach  through  tlie  midst  of  the  unfortu- 
nates,  whom  they  had  hitherto  defended.     Ihey 
crossed  the  bridge,  overthrowing  all  that  opposed 
their  passage.     A   numerous   i:ear-guard  still  re- 
mained on  the  bank,  with  their  baggage  and  car- 
riages, and  not  having  chosen  to  profit  by  tnat  las. 
ni-ht  of  safetv.     Day  brought  them  all  at  once  be- 
fore the  bridge.    .     .     .   My  companions  and  I  nad 
just  crossed  it ;  tho  Bussians  were  about  to  avail 
themselves  of  it  to  pursue  us.     Then  General  Eblo 
made  us  light  torches  of  straw  Avhich  he  had  pre- 
pared, and  by  his  orders  we  set  flro  to  tho  bridge. 
It  was  rapidly  consumed,  and  tho  smoking  remains 
of  it  fell  into  tho  river  just  when  the  Russians  were 
descending  the  heights  and  making  ready  to  cross 
it.     Several  thousand   stragglers    remained  aban- 
doned on  the  hostile  shore.     We  saw  them  wander- 
in<r  on  tho  banks  of  tho  Bcresina,  holding  out  their 


The  O.'if  C/irst. 


1/9 


ding  tbo 
jtv."  Tho 
nvlinrr  of 
unncd  of 
md  bias- 
It  of  the 
•idgo,  but 
alf-stiflcd 
threw  the 
t  any  one 
even  con- 
Evcry  one 
id  only  to 
ards  nine 
?cd;  Vl3- 

opened  i\ 
:•  unfortu- 
3d.  They 
t  opposed 
I  still  re- 
>  aiul  cur- 
y  timt  hist 
it  once  bc- 

iind  I  had 
Lit  to  iiviiil 
neral  Eble 
0  had  prc- 
the  bridge, 
ig  remains 
ssians  were 
dy  to  cross 
ined  aban- 
!m  wander- 
igout  their 


hands  to  ns.  Some  (brow  tlu'insclvcs  i:il.)  the 
water,  otlici\i  trusted  themsclvos  on  iccberfvs  ; 
otliers  again,  crazed  with  dcsitair,  rushed  headlong 
into  tho  flames.  Tho  ri'st  remained  in  tho  liaml.s 
of  the  Russians. 

I  have  seen  many  battle.-,  but  never  anything  .so 
frightful  a.s  that  last  night.  Full  of  distress  at  the 
roeollccaon  of  my  comradei^,  my  brothers,  who  died 
at  my  side,  I  could  scarcely  thank  Providence,  Avho 
had  saved  nie.  I  dragged  myself  along,  sick  and 
with  feet  half  frozen,  v/ith  what  had  once  been  my 
battalion,  till  VvC  camo  to  Wilna,  where  General 
Eblc  made  me  cuter  a  hospital,  renewing  all  the 
promises  which  ho  had  made  to  us  in  the  Empe- 
ror's name..  I  had  become  insensible  to  everything  ; 
coldj  hunger,  misery,  alone  made  themselves  felt, 
and  I  thought  myself  at  the  end  of  all  my  woes 
when  I  found  myself  on  a  bed  of  straw,  having  for 
nourishment  a  little  bread  soaked  in  water.  The 
departure,  or  rather  the  flight,  of  the  army  did  not 
concern  me  ;  I,  however,  remained  a  prisoner  in  the 
hands  of  the  llussians,  but  I  had  become  indifl'er- 
cnt  to  the  future,  and  anxious  only  about  tho 
present  moment  and  present  Avants.  .  .  .  For 
three  years  I  remained  at  Wilna,  sick,  and  a  pri- 
soner ;  at  the  end  of  that  time  I  was  sent  heme,  and 
I  begged  my  Avay  to  the  frontiers  of  France.  Tliis 
was  a  great  joy  to  me,  and  I  thought  I  would  die 
when  I  knelt  to  kiss  tho  ground  of  my  dear 
country. 

All  was  changed  :  tho  Emperor  sailing  away  over 
tho  Atlantic  Ocean  ;  the  marshals,  generals,  the 
men  of  the  Empire,  were  nothing  now.  I  knew  not 
to  whom  to  address  mvself  to  obtain,  if  not  the 


'■:\ 

'I, 


If 


if 


i8o 


llic  Old  C licit. 


11' 

'ilfil!! 


If 


II 


pi-omi.sea  pension,  ut  least  some  uiil  wliicli  miglit 
assist  me  to  get  cured,  and  to  wail  for  better  days. 
Cfoncral  Eble  was  dead  ;  and,  altliuu-h  m  the 
office  of  the  ilinister  of  War  I  met,  every  day,  men 
whose  lives  the  poor  pontoon-men  had  saved,  I  was 
ulwava  repulsed,  and  I  received  neither  baek-i)ay 
nor  travelling  expenses,  nor  pension,  nor  crosses  of 
honor.  There  vet  remained  to  me  a  little  money, 
Avhich'  I  had  once  entrusted  to  an  honest  man 
among  my  friends,     lie  returned  it  to  me.     I  came 

into  a  sul)urb  of  the  town  of ;  1  rented  a  little 

house  and  a  small  piece  of  l.md  ;  I  bought  some 
old  furniture  and  some  tools,  and  I  became  a 
gardener.  The  first  years  were  hard  and  miserable, 
bu  tl  consoled  myself  by  remembering  my  suffer- 
ings  i-.i  llussia.  I  became  iiccuslomcd  to  my  trade, 
and  I  succeeded  in  gardening  quite  easily.  .  .  • 
I  remained  alone.  ...  If  I  am  to  believe 
some  accounts  in  the  old  papers  whicli  my  moth.i 
saved,  I  am  descended  from  xm  ancient  f.imily, 
Avhich  has  in  its  time  been  rich  and  held  honorable 
offices.  In  mo  it  has  come  back  to  the  people  ;  and 
it  will  end  wiih  me. 

Poor,  infirm,  obscure,  I  Avill  associate  no  one  with 
my  lot.  I  do  not  complain,  but  I  remember  that 
at  the  Berezina  I  gave  to  those  who  have  repulsed 
me  the  gift  of  my  life.  .  .  •  God  preserved  it  ; 
and,  although  it  be  but  a  poor  offering,  it  shall 
henceforth  belong  to  him  alone.  Retired  in  my 
little  house,  poor  but  peaceful,  I  say  to  myself  with 
•joy  that  1  have  no  more  concern  with  men,  and 
"that  I  depend  on  God  alone. 


ell  miplit 
Hov  (liiy.-.. 
h    iu   tlic 

(lay,  men 
ved,  I  \vii3 
biick-));iy, 
cro-sst's  uf 
:,lo  money, 
)iicst  man 
e.  I  camo 
tcil  a  liLtlo 
i<fht  some 
became  a 
miserable, 
tay  siiffer- 
» my  traile, 
>'.... 
to  believe 
ny  motliLi 
ut  family, 

hononiblc 
eople ;  unci 

10  one  with 
:mbcr  that 
c  repulsed 
eserved  it  ; 
ng,  it  shall 
ircd  in  my 
nyself  witli 
I  men,  and 


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A  Sur' War  to  fliitl  out  t!io  Tnio  Rtli^ioii. 

1  liiio,  (■loth 

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to  a:. 

0  T3 

a  Of) 


r.) 


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n  75 

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0  ,-iO 

n  75 

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1  :a 

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fi  no 

15  00 

as  00 

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rHblUalions  vf 


Cio 


Mi«llii«r"«  rorltrt  F.iUrlnn,  from  ?l  nfl  (o 

I'OHt  yiiiiito  Kilili  111.  from  ^1  (•>  . 

"  Hm»U  (i'uirtd  Killtldli,  fioiii  Jll  to 

"  Iloy.  tjiiurlo  Krllllim,  frriiii  ?n  In 

Imp.  Wimrto  Kdltiiiii.  fniiii  ?li  t'l 

V'dlloKilltlon,  Irimi  «lNt()     . 

CiuiviiHHlin;  Killlli'iii'.  fi'iin  Ol'l  to 

Hlhlo  IliMtfiry.     Ily  Kcv.  Jiiliu'x  n'Li'iiiy,  D.I). 

I(»lf  boiiiid, 

Hit  i>'  Wrltlr.',  unci  otlicr  Tiil<- ■..    Hy  Driuli.i, . 
niiirii  Hivronnt.  Th(>.     Ily  Ciirli'l'in,  .        . 

UlacU  I'mplu't  ;  a  Tulo  of  tliu  1'  amino,    r.y 

('iirlt'toii.  •„•,.■      T  'a    i' 

DlnUi'H  iiiiil  tho  riiiriftCiinH.    liy  Mrii.  J.  Kad- 

linr.     ?1  v;.^;  il'ith  !;ilt 

nirtlli'llO  I.rslil- 

UliKhttdl  l-'iDwor,  Tlso,     riiuo 

<l()lh  nilt 

BdliciiiiiiiiH  iiitho  l.'illi  Cci.tury, 

Bocoii't'H  riiatory  nf 'thn  VnrlatluiiM  of  tho 
I'rotestiuiiChnrc.hcii.    a  voIh.  lAiio, 

Do.       (!(!.,  half  mor 

Boylinoil  c.f  (Irinif  ralntiTs.    '.'  vols., 
c'liithul't,         .        .        .        •    .   ■ 
nojTio  Water,  Tho.     r.y  nuiilrn.     IJinn,  , 
BriilU'o'M    AlKiilira,    witU    Ailditloim    ly 
ChrlHtian  linithirs.     Hull  'Kiund,      . 
BrldROH  AiioioiitlliHtdry.     U'iud,     . 
Brld«o':i  M.idorii  lliHtory.     1!mi'., 
BrowiiHoii,  ( .mvorsatioiiH  on  MlionihBm, 
BrowiiHourt  EHBayn.    L'lotli,  i ;!  ;  lialt  i:ior.,    . 

naif  calf. 

Burko'M  Primary  Arltlimot  if 

"       PriK^tloal  Arlthniotlo 

"       Prac!t.i(^al  Ki'V  til  ArUhiiii'lio,      . 
Bits  of  ni.inicy.      ]»y  Dr.    It.   MkHoii    Mac- 

kriiziu,  liino, 


Ccncilla  :  a  Roman  Drnma  In  ."J  Aota,       .       . 
Calldta  ;  r  Skotcli  of  tho  Third  Century.     I.y 

Hbv.  .i'ohu  1'.   Nowii.iiu,        .        .        .        . 

rlothilll ,,•„,•„      • 

Card-Dra  vine.  Tho  IIalf->5ir.  and  Sail  Ulmr. 
Carlotou'n  Work.^.    1!)  vola.  limo,  elolh, 

half  morooi  II  ?*);  half  calf,      . 
Carpenter's  SpolUr,     .        .        .        .        . 
Caatlo  oi  UousiUoii.    ■;  j  coatsi ;  oloth(;ll.,      . 

CATECHISMH  : 

Butler's  C 'itoohism.i.  wltn  Boriptural  t'ato- 
chlBm  for  I',  v..  I'or  IKi,  not,  .  . 
Do.  do.  wit  1  Prayers  at  A.  afs,  clot.i,  • 
Do.  do.  for  Dioi'o.xo  of  yr.elioo.  Per  UK),  no 
Do  do.  forDioooKOdl'Toronto.  Per  1(H), no 
Do.    do.  tor  DioouBO  of  S^t.  Johu'c.  Per  100,  n 


r  w 

K  (K) 

I'l  mi 

!.1l  IH) 

.'W  (10 

:i.s  (10 

H  (« 

I  M 

a  ra 

1  .'lO 

ib^ 

1  no 

1  .'0 

0  (in 

11  r>o 

I)  CO 

3  m 

BOO 
1  SMI 

1  K^ 
:  60 

0  4.'i 

1  25 

1  ,')0 

1  no 
n  no 

.'i  .')0 

0  a-i 

0  no 

1  26 

1  au 


0  40 


1  2R 

1  BO 

1  60 

lb  00 

y.5  00 

0  20 

1  00 

4  50 

0  1.5 

t     \  50 

t    4  60 

et  4  60 

Sent  b-j  mail,  poz 


"jc  paid, 
price. 


receipt  of  tho 


;nn 

K  l^) 

:l  (N) 

.11  (HI 

.-.>  (Kt 

'M  (K) 

,t  (« 

1  r.0 

a  u) 

1  N) 

ibu 

I  CO 

1  N) 

0  (H) 

(IN) 

0  CO 

;i  rd 
n  fid 

1  ai 

1  MO 

;  M 

0  4S 

1  23 

1  no 

1  00 

I)  no 
■'i  M , 
(I  as 

0  firt 

1  26 
1  JO 


0  40 

1  SB 
1  50 
1  60 

ir.  m 

0  20 

1  UO 


4  50 

0  15 

4  50 

,    4  60 

>t  4  50 

tftho 


» 


/>.  ii-  ./.  SnilUn-  i(-  Co.,  \.   y 


Hnmll  N«wTork  Hhnrt  AhrlilKtnriit  CIuIm- 

tinii  Ilortiiiir.    I'lT  IiHi,  iwl,    .        .        .  $'J  Ii 
lIliNtntl      III!  ItiinclKllii'lll  III:  Uo,  for  DilXICHO 

(pf  HdHtiin.     I'l-r  KKi,  iitt    ....  2  T'l 

r»n.  (Id.,  Willi  I'l-BjiTHutiluHH.  rpr  KKI.  iii'i,  4  Wl 

Dii    (111.  do.,  tlcx.  eldlli.     I'cr  |(i(»,  net. .        .  N  00 
liciicriil  ditiM'liiHin  (  hriutian  I)iii'ti'liii<,    Dy 

iirilcr  Niitliiiml  liminll.     I'lr  llio,  net,  .  2  iS 

A  (li'iHTuI  CutcrhiHiu  iitcimri'il  liy  (irdcrof 

Nutidiiitl  (  iiiincil.     llliiHlnilcd  with  5)1 

I'/iiKrnv  lii^'H  mid  Ili'Hcriiitivn  1'(!Xt,         ,  0  25 

C«t('ilii«in  hacrrd  lllMliiry,     lly  MrH.  Siidll(>r,  0  1» 

tathiiliii  /outlj',1  jblbrury,    Sut  kitIcii,  12  viiU.  K  (10 

tlulh  i{U( IMK) 

Do.           Do.              ad  uerimi,  12  vols).,  II  IN) 

cloth  Bilt, U  00 

Do.           D'>.             8(1  Nf>rl('i(,  n  voIh.,  a  00 
Cathdlld  Yotith'u  Lllirnry.    3d  acricH,  0  vol*., 

cloth  Kilt, 4  BO 

l)i>.            Do.               4th  liiTlcrt.  0  void.  !1  (Ml 

cldth  Kilt 4  60 

Catlidlicity  iiiid  riiiitliolHiii.     Ily  llcv.  J,  Do 

Ciiiicllld 8  00 

Cfttlioliii  Cholr-Kodk.     I'y  (liirhctt,  ...  2  50 

Cfttholld  Harp.     Hy  Kirk, (i  60 

Ciithdllc'H  Uiili>  of  l.ifo 0  2.1 

riithdiir  LtiKciidH.     12nio,  rlotli,        .        .        .  1  00 

Catholic  Ani'iilolos.-  Vdl.  1 (i  78 

Do.              Do.            Vdl.  L' 1  00 

Do.              lid.            Vdl. .') 1  00 

Do.              Do.           .'1  vols,  la  one,         .        .  2  60 

••lolhpilt ;i  00 

Cntholid  CniMoo,  CI  S.")  :  cliiili  (,'ilt.    .        .        .175 

(Jathdlii^  (;liriHtiftii  Ini<tructcil.     Papier,  .        .  II  UK) 

doth, II  41) 

Colt'H  Paradise.     Hy  r.uniiii.     C  lot!i  L'iH,        .  1  GO 

Chlhlrcii  ofllid  Alilicy.     ]2iiio l  M 

ChriHtiaii  Ariiiod  iiKuiiiut  tho  Bodiictiona  (f 

tlio  World n  50 

ChriMtlaii  HrothcrH'  First  Kondcr.    Tcr  do:;.,  1  ."jfl 

l)d.            Dii.        Hcpoiid  l<(>ttder,        .        .  0  2o 

Do.            Do.        Third  Rcadur,           .        .  0  iVi 

Do.            Do.        Tabic  lioolf.     Ppt  lUI,     .  5  00 

ChrlHtian  Instnirlrd.     ("iiadrapamil,      .        .  0  '10 

Christian  MiKHionH.     Dv  MarMhall.    i  vol.;.,   .  4  00 

half  mordcid,  j?(; ;  I'lilf  calf,         .        .        .  7  60 
Chiirrh  Archlt,pcturi\     Ten  ■Working  DeslRnn 
for  ('atholi(!  ClmrrhcH.     Hv  Chas.  ShoU. 
LarKd  folio.  S15  ;  half  moropi'd,          .        .20  00 
Clrclua  (if  the  Llvini;  UoHcry,    Pur  100  kIipiLh, 

iiP* 2  50 

Clare  Wnltland.  B:l  r(>n(H  :  olnth  pilt,  .  .0  73 
Clock  of  t  lie  Passion.  Jly  St.  Mguori,  .  .0  43 
CloiHter  LeL'eudif.    CI  ;  clolh  Kilt,    .        .        ,160 

Cobliett'H  History  Itl-forrnaliou,       .        .        .  1  85 
"         I.eijaeies  (d  ParsdHH.         .        ,        .0  60 

CoUeKlans  :  a  Tale  of  Oarryowen,    .        .        .  1  50 

CoUotfs  Doetriiml  and  Scriptural  Catechism,  0  68 

Con  O'RcKan.    gl  ;  cloth  gilt 185 

Coiif(>derato  Chief tuinn  ;  a  Tale  of  1041,  .        .  8  00 

cloth  gilt 8  60 

Sent  by  mail,  postage  j^^'id,  on  receipt  of  the 
vricc. 


I 


r;;!)li'r:tionH  of 


Confotinl '  .1"  I'f  !'i,  Au.-:iiiitlno 

(jlot'i,  r'  1 1  1  :i'n •       • 

(lonff'HKi'iii.iof  f..i  A;)Oiiiilf.    rjcin,  ;   r!.  (■)•. 

ConH'>lal!o:i  f^r  t:i>  Anll.'lca  r.ndtlmiio  wh-i 
Jtouri,  H!;in,  pv.ior,  M  cnnlH  J  ololn,  n) 
ronlH  ;  I'loth,  w  I  i'iUtch,  '.loontu  ;  roun, 
rcvi  od'f  ••,  5rl  ;  nori) >,  i'  I  i  <'»'f.     • 

ColUno  mill  I'urlor  L'.hrury,    l-J  vol».,    . 

cloth  ;;llt,         .        .        •.•,•,„•,• 

1)„.  Do.  Ct!    ortci,  10  voU., 

iloth  pllt, 

Cropx'y-    I'y  Uaniio.    ClotU 


Dally  fltnpn  to  Ilcavpn,    ny  Nun  of  Konmiir". 

cioi  !u;iit.       ...  •,,■„■ 

DiUit;ht<'rMi"i'vri^'miii'!l.    M  ct ^.  ;   rlfXliKllI, 
DnviH,  TliDMmii.    r.ii-miuinil  K.-.May;i, 
Do  HiiU't'u  Ni'\/  In:lla:i  filiotchoii,      . 

cloth  ullt 

non.i.iiiiT.lThr..  ny  Ilniil:n,  .  .  .  . 
Oi.vil,  ThK.  »oc3)inKxiKtr  .  .  .  . 
Dr-vntlo;i  t'.  Kl.  .ToH.'ph.  »l  ;  >1.,  rcil  rdjrrn,  . 
DlH;iiip<''^''"''  Ainliltloii.  7&  i'tn.  ;  cloth  L'llti 
Dak.- (if  Moiimnill).  ny  Orlffln.  .  .  . 
Diniii  li'>\'  ot  Krlliimr  •.  M  c(>nl:i ;  '•'.nth  kIU, 
nutli'.i  cif'Yimn«  Mc!i.  r.lcoiita  :  cU.th  k'.U,  . 
T)  ity  iif  n<'hrlMtlii:i  IfiwnrdH  (ioil.    . 

D/rfjlic-tj:!  Oourt.    Ci  '^  !  '"l"'-''  f5"'i     • 


firs 

1  00 

too 

aoo 

1 )  7-J 

1 )  Ti 

n  i.'j 

i;i  c5 

1  ou 

1  r)0 

'i  (iO 

0  -8 

1  5) 

0  (to 

0  no 

1  80 

1  01) 

1  as 

1  (.0 

1  so 

0  75 

1  CO 

(1  r;i 

1  '.j 

i;  v.ilrr  i  I  Ilc.vvm.     Dy  11  v.  1'.  X.  \<-  illriKor, 

clotliulll,"        '.....        . 

Kllcr  Uroihir  ;  iv  DmiTia  I.t  2  Ac(  8  for  Lo:". , 
Elinor  Pre. iti':i.     Jj  cl.i.  ;  clolli  pilt,         . 
E  llB  Laiir.i ;  a  r)ra.7i;i.    Dy  Ucv.  .Iiih   O  Lrary, 
Kml-irants  of  tlic  Ai'.hiirra'i.    Uy  turlcton,    . 
KndOf  Controvorn;:.    ):y  MUner,     . 

jpapcr, 

Dristlcs  and  rtOHpd.i.     [,'ot;i 

iOvil  Kyc.    IJy  I  arlCio-i, 

Esl^o  oX  Taamoro.    C'otli,  W  utj. ;  oloth  gilt, 


1  en 
1  S.5 

(I  a.". 

1  10 

n  n 
I  .w 

1  fO 
(I  W) 

0  3:) 

1  50 
0  75 


ll 


Fa'.ilnla.    Hy  CarUlntU  Wlnoman,      .        .       .  1  M 

rlolh(,llt 2  CO 

r.-iC'iUic.i  c'  lh'<  Tiorl  ;  A  Drani;v,      .        .        .  0  ^5 

KarilorouKha,  liio  Ml  irr, 1  M 

rate  and  F'oriinc  i  of  l)'Ncil:i  u-.iil  O'DoniijUfl,  t  on 

Fallicr  (loiiiicll.     Hy  Kanim,      .                .        .  1  M 

Father  Jcrom.';;  Libri'.ry.     1)  vols.,  lUotli,      .  8  0.) 

2  4[) 

.  SCO 

.  1  00 


iiiipcr, 
'itlicr  Miithi-- 


.Viitlicr  ILitliov,-. 


MaB-.;i;-c,        . 
Miin «'(  kcnmaro, 


Cent  b-j  i:i::i!,  por.tct-r  prid,  o:%  receipt  of  the 
l>ricr. 


,% 


Q^^^^^;^ 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


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1.6 


Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


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23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  NY.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


4^ 


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CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


<.* 


■^m 


I).  ((•  .1. 


•iiifih  r 


('>.. ::.  y. 


FiiMiPr  SliPoliy.    r.T  ctii.  ;  cl.it,:!  clU, 
FhUut  Uc  J.islc.     t;:i  rl.>;.  :  cloUi  ni.l, 
Frtcip'S  iinil  I'cirr  cf  Ciisll.'.     I!y  liniiiiii, 
FiroKiili)  liilirary,  Hiiillicr'.:.     I.'VdIs.,  cliilli, 

I'xtra,  f.l  i")  J  ( li>tU  ^-ill,        .        .        .        . 
Flori'iii'i)  McCiirtliy.     li /  L:vdy  f.Ior -an, 

ili't;it:ill,         .        ...        :        . 

FIowiTH  cf  C'llri^^liau  Wisilom 

Folj'.)\viii(;of  Clirisl.  Slnio,  cliilli,  ('.;)  <t  i.  ;  ri>(l 


pit, 
FDrll 


ciltcci,  'I'l  t'tH.  ;  cni'i.  fiilt.  #1  1:!  ;  innrcKn'o 
oxtra,  i-'-i  M  ;  ]Smi>,  vnih.  jili,  ;.;i  5);  full 
t'ilt,  Jl  75  ;  nioriK'Oo,  oxtra, 


Taper, 


nioriK'Oo,  oxtra. 
Food.    I!y  ir.it'.ior  (,f  "Laselno,' 
Family,  '1  ho.    liy  Mr.-. tJaiiU'syacllior. 
1I..1I1 

Garland  ot  Flowers, 

Gi'i-.iM  JlarsdiUo.    '^1  2,-) ;  clolh  ^il', 
licinuiiiio  C'oiu;in.     liy  La:ly  KiiliorU  ;i, 
<iiio:i|,  Iluptof,  TIio.    iJy  lJ;inii;i, 
Oil>:i'n  Lt'i't  lire.;.     i,J  ;  lif.  mor.,  ;  ;  i\)  ;  I;.',  cf. 
Guidon  Frimor.    Poi-dozon,      .        .        ,        , 
GulilMiiii'li'H  rooiii.-i  und  Vio,".r  <£  ^^'al^ol:^■ld. 

Iiimo,  ?l  ;  clotlu'ill, 

Goapi'l  of  !S1.  .loliii.  in  Lati.i.  For  lOJl,  . 
Gracos  of  Mary.  (iO  evnls  :  rrd  o<1;;im,  . 
Groat  Day,  The.  OJuouta  ;  ololU  (-ilL,  . 
Galmn'H  Sermons 


u 

1 

7.1 

(.1) 

n  23 

1  5) 

2  CO 

3  no 

1 

5J 

0 

■<j 

u 

tiU 

0 

'"1 

1 

l-J 

0 

xio 

1 

r>[) 

a  m 

0 

to 

1 

■~r, 

(1 

;.■) 

0 

7:1 

0 

73 

Handy  Andv.   EyLovor.  Cln!:i,  fl  .'jT  ;  papor,  ."",') 

Jloirojis  of  Kilor^-an.    iil  II")  ,  il.ith  pilt,  .        ,  1  .M) 

Honnil  of  thi>  Hock.    ?1 ',') :  rlodi  j;iU,   .        .  1  .'0 

lloroino.<  <'f  Cliarity.    Jl;  <!<jl!itnlt,       .        .  1  '.'> 

Hiddon  yaiids.     l-'nio, \  2'i 

History,  Slauu.nl  of  Ancient,  .  .  .  .  I  x.'i 
HiMtorv,  Manual  of  Modern,      .        ,        .        .I'D 

Historyof  Captivily  of  IM113IX.,      .        .        .  0 '10 

Uislury  o  ■  Ireland,    liv  IIoGooHliojian, .        .  H  tiO 

half  n. -r.,  SI. '>()•,  Inilfralf !j  (K) 

Hist.iry  (;t  Iroland.    liy  .Tohii  l\Ii(oh(  1,    .        .  3  .M) 

half  ijiorooco. ;;  1  !^)  :  half  oalf,    .         .        .  ."i  00 

History  of  Iroland.   Fy  Mi'Uoo.  2  vols.,  cloth,  3  10 

half  nior,,  if  I  ;  1  iilf  oah',        .        .        .        .  !)0) 

History  of   Ircliiml.     ]!y  Nnu  of  Konnmro.  •!  fO 

hall  mor.,  J.") ;  half  o'alf.  Sr'> ;  nior.,  oxtra,  (<  (.0 

History  <,f  Irish  Saiiit.H.    i^.W  ;  doth  j'i'l,     .  3  (.0 

History  of  Irish  Martvrs.    S^  ;  dotli  fih,       .  2  TiO 

History  of  War  in  La  VondCi'.     j  1  ~J  ;  ol.  j;l.,  IM 

Holland  Tyd  \     By  Griffin,         .        .        .        .  1  :,() 

Holy  Wayof  thcOrosr,.    I'aiior,  lOrts.  ;  olot'.i,  0  V> 

Hornohurst  Iloctory.     Ily  Nun  of  Konmaro,  2  H) 

•  loth  pit 3  CO 

Huo's  Cliriiilianity  i-i  China  end  .Tapan.    2 

voli!.,  g:3 ;  half  mor.,  £1  CO  ;  half  calf,       .  5  CO 


Idlono"..", ;  nr,  Tho  Double  Losson,    .       .       .  0  TO 

(lotliriU 0  13 

loine  of  Aimoiina;  i\  T.'i.e  (t  V.-m  Tiiuo  cf 

Clilovi.i, I  30 

Sf.'.t  hj  r.ic.ll,  po-jtc.'jc  pci:l,  o:;  rccci\t  tif  Ike 


/'li/,llrl^/i(H..'<  I  f 


inmJHT.Iiito  rnni'oplinii.    BvLanilirMscl.Ini, 
iiviiwinii:  aTiili-'ifCc  i,i|>i'Kt.    l.y  (.riillii,    . 


1    V(l. 


1 

Imisililc  H   11(1  :  a  I'lim 
Irfliiiid     Jlili'li'l  '"'•''  iMi'le"ul"'^'"ii.  . 

4lo,  l.:iir  iiior.MTc.  J^l.'i  :  iiii'i'..  c'Xlin,  il.  . 

l,l„ckr(l.  >"lii ;  2  V.L..  Iiair  111"!-..  Kil,l.  t^' } 
(licnpccHtKin.Kvo,  tlotli,s;vul».,!.i  ;  n^lt 

ini.r.,  ¥'.i;  luUtcnlt,  EU) 
liish  in  Ann  rica.    By  JlRSuIrc,        . 
IriiUi  en  I  li.'  I'lairiea,  iiud  ulliiT  Poems, 

(lotii  t'iit,       .      .  „  •      •,.,•„; 

Ivan,  the  Lci  or':;  Snu,  .;0  eta.  ;  tlulU  ci't,       . 


f  1  (HI 
0  25 


Janp  Kinrlair.  Hy  Curlpton.  .  . 
Jim  KaKiiii.  W)<H-iits;  ol'itliri'l.  • 
Julia  ;  or,  TI.o  UoW  Thlmblo  :  a  Drama, 


Kctplilov  IT:  11  r.r.iU'.-.P  Maltose  Cross,      . 

olottwill,        .       •,•,•.;,     V-      • 
Kinc  »i"l  <  !■  ii-li  r  :  •^".  lj(>!:™(bi  ot  t..r  \.i>-  o- 

iiiiii'ii.   ;  1 ;  <  loiii  rii-i       .      .      •      • 

Laugiilcrlc,  Month  ot  St.  .Io»  pli.    Truushited 

by  u  !-i>H:r  111  ^l- J'"i>i'''.     I'.i'i.i, 
Laily  Araabpl.    50  cent-. ;  eh;th  ci'.t,        .       . 
Wend-*  anil  SJtories  ot  Ireland.    l-yl-iAe.', 

Lot U^r-Wi iter,  the  Pr,vclioi;l.  Halt  boiir..-!,  . 
LoKemls  of  St.  Joseph.  ?1  ;  cloth  pit,  .  . 
Life  it  nil  ^:;oa  Murp.ret  I.Ii;ry  Alaco,|ue.   Ty 

Lite  ot  massed  Virf;in.  Hvo,  elolU,  tl ,  '-"t 
niur  ,  S."i ;  half  nior.,  p-ilt,     •.,•,,• 

Lite  of  iilesnVa  Chii^'t.  C'.otli,  ?1 ;  halt  mor., 
P5:  half  inor.,  (.-'.It, 

Life  of  r.lessea  ^■U■l•.in.    ..£mo,  .... 

LifiM.'mf Bernard.  ?  I  r,0 ';  cloth  ril.n  !  '. 
Lite  of  St.  Elizabeth.  ?1  f.a  ;  eloth  gi.t,  . 
Lite  of  St.  Franci.i  of  ARsisiuni.  .  .  . 
Lite  of  St.  Franei^i  of  Uon.e.  51  j  ^  »thj;-.t,  • 
Life  of  St.  Fraiiei.^  KaU.-.  Jl  ;  oloth  ^  t,  • 
L  to  if  Vinoent  de  Paul.  ?!  :  e  ut,  t'l  t,  . 
Life  of  St.  Joseph.  T5  lenU!  ;  e!ol.h  cill,  . 
Lite  of  St.  Patrick.  ?1  ;  elo'.U  ^,-111, .  .  . 
Life  of  Father  Malhew.  Maf,niirc,  . 
Tlfn  of  Father  Mathew.  Clare,  .  .  . 
I  to  of  S  .  Pail  <  f  the  Cross  ¥1  ro  ;  cl  f .  , 
T  fe  of  Einiire,-  ■.  Josopi.ino.  SI  n:) ;  oloth  yilt, 
Lifeoful'^i^dGiimn!  ?inO;.'othKilt,  . 
Life  of  John  Panim.  ^1  .J  ;  eU.  h  (K,  .  . 
Life  of  Mary,  Queen  cf  fceots.  f  1  00  ,  cl.  r,t., 
late  ot  Cvirrau 


2  PO 

1  r^) 

2  W) 
0  ^5 

1  50 
0  To 
0  2.-> 

n  ."1 
0  ',-> 

1  CO 

0  75 

0  r.-i 

(1  :.'> 
1  i.i 

C  C3 

fi  CO 

0  AO 

(1  fin 
2  no 

2  (.0 

1  i;.'-. 

1  £.5 
1  S.'i 
1  00 

1  i.-. 

2  00 

1  00 

2  r.o 

1!  00 
2  00 
2  00 
2  CO 
1  15 


Sent  bv  r.'.ail,  postune  paid,  o;i  .■crri2,t  of  ihe 
ji»-.V.'. 


n  CO 

0  40 

0  fid 

2  00 
2  10 

1  cr. 

1  £5 
1  25 
1  00 

1  £r> 

2  CO 

1  00 

2  0,0 
2  00 
2  CO 
2  CO 
2  00 
1  15 


I),  if./  Si 


li- 


ft 


)'. 


Ufenf  rHtliariiii'?.t(!.\iili'7.   Car.O;  olotli  f;i:i,    Jl  CO 
Lifn  of  liiu.-Ui'U.  Tdou.  t\  MuiiLrhm-,       .  '      .       2  UO 

,      olotli(;ilt ;;,-,0 

Life  of  Sn'iir  Marl.', |  '^5 

Li(o  of  Dr.  Dayl".    "1  emits  ;  cloth  gilt,  .      ]  (M 

Life  of  l''iit'nT3  of  tho  Deserts,         .       .       .      i  o.j 

clota(;ilt, 1  7i 

Livi'Horirish  Saints  niid  Martvrs.  ,"5  platna. 
4to,  oluth  pill,  C'lOj  liiitf 'iiiorncro,  ?I5; 
morocco,    extra,    ^17;    paULllod,    ^„0 ; 

blocked 83  00 

Life  of  Ules~eJ  Vir^'inMarv,  "1  plates.  4to, 
linlf  mor  ,  SI."i ;  iinitul'ion  inor,  jjll  r>a  ; 
mor.,   extra,  i^lT;   bevelled,   Jjjlj  ;  jiauel- 

lei,  tli' ,  lloeked, 80  00 

Life  of  t  )iir  .''.a\  io'.ir,  .losii:i  Clirirft.  ill  jilatos. 
II:iIf  mor,,  Slj;  iiuitatioTim.ir.,  St  I  :  mor  , 
estr.v,  8l«';  heveJed,  Sla;  pauelled.  Sill; 

blocke:!, CO  00 

Life  D;tie.i.     Ily  i:.  E.  iUtr.y.   «1  ."fl  ;  cl.  fc-ilt',      2  00 
Lily  of  Israel.     l."i  eeiita  ;  eloih  t;ill,         .        .       ]n) 
I.ittlo  Ti'sluiiieiil  1,  .Irsii;;,  Blarv,  inid  .losrpli,      0  25 
Live:!  oPt''allier.i  ami  Marlrrs,  and  ollirr  Trin- 
cipal  Saiiit.s.  T.y  liev.  Alban  liuller.  I  vols., 
cloth,  ^?H;    arabes.'iuo    u-ilt,    SlU;     balf 
mor    $1."> ;  mor.,  extra,  JJO  ;  imif.  mor..      Id  00 
Do    14  vi.l:i.  hair  r.  ail,  St.")  ;  halt  nii'r.,        .    2.j  00 
Do.    Qiiaiio    liditioii.      2   vols.,    wiUi    :>7 
plale.'i,  imit.  »;ilt,  gi") ;  mor,  extra,  §28; 
bevelled,  ?:i0  ;  panelh'd,  ?:Jj  ;  blocked,     .    SS  00 
LItch  and  Times  of  K  man  PontilTs.    a  vols. 
Kvo,  cloth,  «;i  I  ;  im;t.  gilt,  8IH  ;  lialf  mor., 
$1i-  mor.,   $M;  mor.   bovelled,  §22  50; 

puneded, 25  00 

laves  of  ,th(!  Karly  Martyrs.    12mo,         .       .      12.-, 

clolliKilt 1  .-,11 

Lost  (ieuoveira..  C)  eta.  ;  cloth  gilt,  .  .  0  dO 
Lost  Son.  T.'i  cents  ;  elorb  lilt.  ,  .  .100 
Love.  l!y  Lady  llerliort.  'ia  I'l  3.  ;  cloth  gilt,  100 
Lucille,  I  ho  Youn;?  i'"lo\vcr-makcr,  ...  0  rj) 
clolb  gilt, 0  75 

Mapilro's,  ,Iohn  Francis,  Works.  3  vols.,  .  «i  00 
Mau;ran'  <,  .I.13.  Clarence,  i'oemn,     .        ,        .      2  00 

cloth  gilt 3  60 

M»nniug,  Archbishop,  Vatican  Council,  .  .  125 
„    "  "     Win  and  lis  Oouse<iucncos,      ISO 

Manual  Devotion  Sacred  Heart, 

Marion  Elwoyd, 1  35 

Martyrs  of   tho    Coliseum.     E,-  Fev    A.  J. 

0-Il-.?illv.    (lot:i.  s;l5;);  elofigllt,    .        .8  00 
Martyrs,  'J'h;.     liy  Chateaubriaud,  .        .      1  50 

clothgilt,  $2;  halfmor. 8  50 

Mii^a,  I'ravers  and  Ceremonies  of,  .  .  .  1  50 
Maureen  Dhu.  SI  25  ;  cloth  cilt,  .  .  .150 
Mayor  of  Windfiap.  IJy  Banim,  .  .  .150 
McCarthy  More.  ;?1  :  cloth  gilt,  .  .  .125 
McQee'.-j,  Thoa   D'Arcy,  Po,;m!,        .        .        .2  60 

cloth  gilt,  $.1 ;  bait  mor.,  ii.J  53  ;  mor.,  ex.,      4  50 

Sent  by  mail,  postage  paid,  o.i  receipt  of  the 
price. 


8 


l\^:r'/. 


■■/■ 


.,  riol'.i, 

■    1,1    l.da.i.l 


t:i  (10 


ilH  U 


MMloi'ViIfclii'i'l.     Ovnl 
McUiM)nlir;,'!ili'ii    l.i^l-i 

History.) 
MedilnlUinncin  bl.  Josi-l'ii.         •        •        •         ' 

MedilaVi'ma'V'iMhe  rMpl.iviist   au[\   ba.TO.i 
Il,.url.    liy  r-i-oMur  niiii;>,         •        •        • 

..  '•      S.M'OlVl        "  .  .  • 

tt  Kcw  I'in-t  Itcailor,  . 

»                     "     Sc'ciiil      "  ... 

••                   "    Tliiiil         "  •        •        ■ 

»                     •'     l''iii;rlh       "  ... 

«i                   ••    Kifth          "  •        • 

i»                   ■'    Sixth          "  •        • 

»  rrel'i"'-"'"^'' 

>•  1,1.  iiH'il  ri-iiini-tlnrr,       . 

ili.-MinncfKcalh.    B/ \* alv/orih,    . 

eloth  ci'.t,        •       ,•„ 

Missions  ill  .l;ipa;i;n.lriira-"c:i     ■ 

MitcU^rl.'iy'AoryWlr.'aiul     (H.-ryi.tory)- 

Month  ..f  May.    '•'  ^C-.t  i :  .  "i^  S-^r^,,  ;;;-;:,"' 
Murray's  Ci  amm.v,  i  b  u  -.  <1.    '  y      ',■''■','. 

MvateriiiuH  HiTinlt.    Cio,;  .  .V)  I'l.i.  :  <1"-  (-'■'• 
Month  of  SI.  .lo.rph  ;  oi;    KxciriM.^  for  each 

Lay  of  ihi'.M-.iiih.f  .March.    »  l"iii,         . 
Mr-   (ioralil  -  Ni.-<-c.     li.v  l.aily  Kuhurton,  8n  ., 

cloth,  f  1  Jll  ;  cloth  -111 

Havin'a  History  of   Hi.'    Pi-ulns,ilnr   Wnr. 

'hvo.  clou,,  •  1  ;  l:alf-u:..r,. :  5  5.1 ;  Imlf-cuif, 

New  Imlian  Skcttbctf.    LyUoomct, 

cloth  |:ilt,        ■.:„,: 
New  Li(,'l;t:i;  or,  LifomGr.lwRJ,      . 

cloili  (;:it,       ■.-. 

New  Tobtamcut.    (  loin,    •        ■       •        •   „»■ 
"r.  '.       hMuoulition,  18inn,om)).  gilt, 

full  gilt,  $1  iiJ  ;  morocco,  ^  a  M  ;  calf. 
01(1  Chc-t,  The.      Traiixatcd  from  the  FnMidi 

bv  Anna  IV  Sailiicv,  $1  r,;,:  dothnilt  . 

Olive's  Uo-Tiic,  and  otacr  Talcs,  lu  no,  cloth  . 

mor^>  1  r  ;  mor.  l.cv..  Hi ;  .nor  y-\"^}}f' 
Oddities  of  Ihunai-.ily  (.0  c.  "'■»/;.;'""'  (J o- 
O'Donnolls  of  (ilea  C)tti;-o.,  l.y  JJ.  i  ■  ^" 

Offitocflho  r-lcsscd  Nirg.n,   lu   Latiu  ana 

Old  una  New,  ,n  ~.)  ;  cloOi  yd  .,        ■        •       • 

Oil  Hon -0  l.v  f-   !"?■"''•    '  -  .-,  '''^.'   ,^  r'lt 
0-Lea.T-slJiblo}asUjry.^C.^o^>-.<^^^. 

One  Ilundrpd  Talcs.    Uy  lie!  m.dt,  . 

cloth  (.'i!t, I)  20 

Oram's Tal.lo Book      .        '.  ,,,;,uriit     '       '      I  00 
Orr-ban  of  Moscow,  •Ij  OS.  ■,.<oth  put,    .  • 

Oar  Lady  of  Lonrdcs,  ^•.^;  ciMh  r,-f .       •       •      -  <« 

Sent  by  mail,  postage  paid,  o:i  receipt  of  tfc« 
priee. 


1  .^0 

•J  (JO 

2  50 
0  ^ 
U  4S 
023 
0  4S 
000 

0  75 

1  IJ 
1  50 
O'-iS 
0  4.1 

0  no 

0  T5 

1  m 
1  no 

1  'ij 

0T.^ 
0  a 
n  SI 

0  73 

0  75 

2  00 

000 
0  tiJ 

0  uo 

1  00 

1  'jn 

0  (iS 

1  00 

a  {,0 

2  fO 

11  ."ill 
ti  "> 


20  00 
0  bO 

2  00 

0  40 

1  50 
)  50 
■i  60 
1  50 
0  (>0 
(I  itO 


:t  (10 


1  .V) 

•J  ini 

S  50 

0  •.Hi 
0  15 

0  as 

0  4S 
0  flO 

0  75 

1  13 
1  50 

0  as 

0  IS 
0  90 

0  75 

1  IK) 

1  no 
1  ■■» 

0  75 

(1  ej 

I)  M 
0  73 


2  00 


000 

0  til) 

0  uo 

1  110 

1  -'5 

0  OS 

1  UO 

a  00 

2  fO 

II  r.o 

U  7.'> 

20  00 

0  90 

2  00 

0  40 

1  50 

1  50 

2  60 

1  60 

0  (>0 

0  90 

0  20 

I  00 

aoi 

/>. .:  ,/. 


i{'  Co.,  iV. 


PiiKloriiii'n  IXoiy  rif  (!i(i  Cliurt'li,  , 

rir|).,'  l):y.     l,y  IliiMJn, 

l'ii),.!i'ii  i\in:1.,i-,  TUo.    iJt.  Thoa.  !i  Uccka,  . 

t  lot  li  Kill 

roni:.'.  iMiMirluiii,'  i;:ij;'.i;..'i  CoavcrBalloiw', 

lirilfhcMmil 

Pprriii'.)  ri-cni'li  Krl. !(■!■.,  lialfbouiul, 

Pcri-y'H  l:i  .tnictii)iis, 

J"i-liirt;u;f  Chri^i'j.iiiIlproiMn,  clotli,  Jl  ;cl.  gt 
Puiiclinni,  Til'',  ri,)<ts. :  cloi;i  L'iit,    . 
Poims.     i;y(it!mn,     .        .        .        . 

I!y  Mcil(t>, 

"         I'y  M:in-;.iiii, 

I'yI.dv.r 

"         l:y  Hrv.  T.  A.  Dut:or, 

"         l;y  (J(,l(!smilli 

Points  of  (.'., lit  nivrrsy.     Dy  RnmriUB,      . 

Pfijio  1111(1  Magiiirc'n  Uls(Hii-.K;i:ii, 

Popi'^H  Mpi'c,  f,i)'jts. ;  diilli  jiilt, 

Poor  r.riiii'sCivti'clis.'M.  r;:pcr,C")('ta.  :  I'lndi, 

PoorSc  li,;lMr.   i;yC:iili  t-.ii.  ;5(  ts. ;  iliilli  rlU, 

Popr  Piin  fio  Ninth  uiid  'iVi.:ii.n\.l  Kiglitu  i.f 

till)  II  ily  iAc, 

PrayiT-Tlu  .lis  : 
AltiirMiiuuul.    2'mii  ci'ilioii.    Hllrt:!.  to     . 

"'I.  l;  111   1  C.li.i:  II.      il  111      . 

Daily  I'rayprs.     Uvao,  willi  Ki.ialcB  acj 

OofjhIh,  tl  I.) 

l)i).  ll'iuci.  fli;n  rd,    7Jcts,  to    . 

OoMi'ii  ri'iniml.    :;lt.")lo       .... 
Uurna  c-f  I'l.mtliiic.     lUil  line  cd.    nCOlo 
I>".  4"iui).    {>       ts.  to  . 

D".  (Jliiii).    Zi  As.  to  . 

Onto  of  lli'avnn.    ."'Jum.    ."^3  uts.  to 
fiariloii  of  llu' iioiil.    U'mo,    >  1  to 
Jlilp  <  f  Cliri.stiiins.     1:  uio.    ^lijito    . 
Maiiiiiil  (]f  1  :;ii  pu.sKiou.    It'mo.    jlto 
llibsiiiii-ljook.     l.'-'nio.    7.")c(H.  to  .        .        ', 

Do.  aimo.    CJ  fts.  to  . 

Garland  (it  Praj-,!-.    l.'Smo.    4^' 53  to     . 

Mii.-;.s-lloolt.    r.,l(t.4.  to 

Path  to  I'aradiiiu.  3Cnio,  ii(>w  od.    28ctii.  t(j 

Do.  4fiiio.    i;i  cty.  to      . 

Key  of  lluavcn.    ttlnid.  old  cd.    CS  cts.  to  . 
Do.  aiino,  new  cd.     5;ictH.  to 

,,        Do.  INiiio,  ncwcd.    73  el:),  to 

Little  I'.i'v  to  ITeavcii.    O-lino.    20  cts.  to     . 
Way  to  IJcuvcu.    I'mo.    7.')  cts.  to 
Do.  aiino.    5Jcts.  to 

St.  Doiiiinlc's  Maniwd.    2lmo.    5 1  to   . 
St.  rutiii-k'aManiiid.    IHnio.    if  1  to     . 
PiH'k(-t  MiiniiU.    4.''nio.    tj  ct.'i.  to 
Uacc-oltu.  Tl:(\     2-liuo.    ():j  ctu.  to  .        .        ', 
Jiiiiriii'udii  ("hrclii  n.    .l;)  rV^.  to  .        .        ', 
Paniisson  (It  .1 1'l'tits.    Cj  etc.  to   .        !        '. 

PrMBtou'a  !-(>riiinr.s, 

"        l.L'ctiin  s  on  Chri^jtiaii  Unity, 
Pretty  PI:ito.  Ly  lIuuti'iKton.rO  ( tn.;  1 1  cilt. 
Priest's  Srister.     IC.nio,  fiO  ct  s.  ;  cloth  {-ilt, 
Propbeeir.^i  of  St.  Ooliinibkillc, 
Public  School  EUUL-atioD.    Ly  MuUcr,    ". 


$1  29 
I  50 

1  m 

1  50 
U  )Sti 

0  38 

1  00 
1  25 

0  75 

1  no 

•i  50 
•■i  oj 
1  50 
1  60 
1  CO 
1  M 
i  25 
0  76 

0  40 

1  OJ 

0  40 

5  CO 
10  OJ 

12  00 

10  IK) 
iO  (10 

;i3  10 

15  00 

1 )  IJO 
23  0,1 

i(i  i;o 

23  OU 
15  I!: I 
£3  0) 
15  CO 
'JJ  CO 
5  CO 
15  CO 
HI  Ul) 

5  01) 

aj  iKi 

6  GO 
•M  UO 
23  03 

12  CO 
4(1  01 

8  03 

0  00 
15  UO 

13  m 
2  50 

1  50 

0  7:> 

0  73 

0  fiO 

1  60 


of  th» 


Sent  b\j  mail,  puslmjc  paid, 
privc. 


!•''(•(■:;;(  of  Ihs 


10 


VuhUcalions  of 


BavoUlngs  fruru  -Veb  of  Life.     By  C  J.  Can- 

iiiiii.    t'lotU  .       .       .       ■       •       • 

BeoliiHO  o(  1<  iinboiiiUot,    00  cid. ;  ulotu  gilt, 

Ecove'v  Hibl  •  iliMioiy, 

BcliKlon  ill  Soci.'ty,     .       .       •      ,•,,,.• 
ai>aiim;i(irM."llt:ilioiu.    IJy  Dro.  Ihllippo,  . 
Buvcliill'>iiM-.)f  Wl.  lilhlRPt.         .         .        . 
niai'  mill  Kiill  uf  liirti'  Nivllou.    UarriUijton,  . 
RlvivlH,  Tl.r«.    I!,(ii-I11ii,    .        .        .       •        • 
Robert  May.    «)  c.Mit.H  ;  oloth  (,'llt,  .       •        ■ 
Rom"  iinil  till)  Alibi'V.    <  loMi,  >  1  ^ > ;  cl.  Rilt, 
Romouii<llt.<nr<T.    IJy  Ma,;ulro,  . 
Routbiiii's  Iliiuitia  ons      •    .  ,•     ,• 
BoryD'.Mor-.    l!y  1-  ivcr,  j?!  jJ  ;  ao.,piiior, 
Roaiiry  Sbui't.J.     I'lT  1  :.).  m  t,    .        .        .        • 
ao.^(;m:ifv.     Dy  Uiiiiau^tdii,  &J  ;  cloth  yl.t,  . 

ttiilo  of  Lifi' •        • 

KiUuioiul  t'oiiiit  U  lliiiilon.      By  (J.irKaiiii. 
ItOBO   Im  lil:iiic.      llv  l.'nly  Fu.kiloii.     liiino, 

tlotli,  ♦!  ;  clolliKiit, 

Bftdllcr,  Mrs.  ,1.,  Od;^iaiil  Worka  of  : 

Ailr'i  llliir.bvii 

Ul.iAi'.i  ivM  I  1  I.I:11ik:'.:1!1, 

Ui'.l  IIiiiil  of  L'1.4Lor, 

Willy  ""•-•'.      •       •  .    •    ,  ■       •       •       • 
Now  l-U!it;i ;  o:-,  I, iff  l.i  (lalwiiy,  . 
Till)  C'onfi'.b  ralo  l'bii£l;iiun,  . 

Elinor  I'n'.il  on, 

liorisy  C'oiiwMV, 

Conli'ssioii:*  of  iiu  Ai>08tato,  .       .       .       . 

CouC>'Hi%;iin,     .        .       •    „•       •       ■       • 

Father  Sh.iliy,  ivnil  OtbcrTiiloa, 

Thy  Olil  Hoiisii  Ipy  tho  Doyuo, 

Ann'  Houor'H  KrppHiik:',        .... 

l3aiii;bt("r  oJ  Tyruount'll,         .       ■       •       . 

MftcCiirthy  Mof' 

Tbi>  lli'in-.sa  ot  Kilorgan,        .... 

Olil  ttnil  New, 

Tho  lli^riuit  of  t  ho  Kock,  .... 
Catouliioni  i:t  S.vurcil  History, 

Mftureiui  l)hu, 

Tho  So.;ret  :  u  Drama 

'"ho  Talisman :  a  Drama,  .  .  .  . 
'i'hr  llaDbler :  a  Drama,  .  .  .  . 
Julia  ;  or,  Tho  Oolil  Thimblo  :  a  Drama,  . 
The  Elilur  lirotlicr, 

Tho  luvisiblo  ilauJ,         .        .        .        .        • 
Bullior'a,   Mrs.   J.,  Translations  from  tho 
Kivu<;h  : 

Orphan  of  Moscow 

Catitlo  ot  Ilousillon,         .       .       . 

Consolatiou  for  tho  Sick  and  AlHictea, 

lleniamin,  .        .        .        •.•„,•       •        • 

Tho  Pojio'si  Nieco,  and  Other  Taloa,    . 

Idleness  ;  or,  The  Doiinle  Loajou, 

Tb»  Knoiit  :  a  Talo  of  Poland, 

Tno  Blinhtod  Flower, 

TentJloriea,       .       .       ... 

Valeria  ;  or,  Tho  First  Christiaas, 

The  I  .xil8  of  Tadmor, 

Tales  uud  Stories, 


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Willirl;i.iiM,lA;m.H.,fiJiv.ui..sb.T-  ' 

Tno  i,  !■  I  Sill,   .       .  '..     .       . 

C;.(hi'!iii  Auc.'dnlcs."   Pu'i-t  I  ! 
T.iOh.ii:!'.     iiillJ.,        .  ■        ■        • 

riicHiimr'.     I'.ii'Mll.,       .        .        ■       ■        • 
lliKKiimc.    :\  ,(,1-.  in  I,  .  "       " 

T|ioM.vstcriini:Uicrmil,         .       '       "       ' 
J  he  I'.iiicliiTH,   .  '         •        .       .        . 

Tlii>  Ddli'iiiiMiis,        .'.!"*' 
Til"  .S|i'iiii.!!i  Civiilirrn,    ..'''' 

j,H.  iv..ii,  i),„„,  II,,  ij^i-t,  .   :   •    • 

l;l';,'l'lliln  (.f  M.  .luHi'pIl,     .  ' 

FnniliioH  .,r   |':o    S.HiI.      A'Dimo"un   frr 

s,',!'.i,';.''«,  !""'■'•  '■'  '■""  ^^'■'-  '^'-j  '-"•••^ 

^r,f  n,'.?f'i"''.  '^'^J. !  '.  >•.  "i'^"  Vru(i  Hor'vaiit 

•irilll!  J)l"KHl(l  \  lli;ia, 

Si:im;  Of,  T:i(,  Pochnof  :  alJnlca.',       '. 
iili'  (j.'T'llt,  Diiy,  ' 

Lifxcif  (;|,r,'.il.    8i-o,  cln;i',        •        •        •        . 

MriMif  Vir;i|i.    S.,.,  ,.|, 

I.'fiMif  (':ni;-t,  r,.,-  s 

WulUllTH(,f  l.,)U!a^ 


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n<lfiy-Sdmo;  Vdci.l  Cl:ia.s- 

(lii  :ivi,  . 

ii-illi  J.    Cluli,    .' 


Sanotiiarj',  T);o. 
l-dok.     N  t  II" 

8cb0.1,;f.I,.Mll:l(_ 

I'Idtli,  r.Ml  imIi-,  .-,,    . 
.     Scottish  (.■I:i,.fv     l.v:j|.s:,j'nitor.    '        '        ' 
Soba-^uaii,  tl.n  lldiiiaii  iiirrlvr      •    '        •        ■ 
gejM-ot,  Tli(.  :  a  I)ni:!rv  f,ir  (.'irlj,, 
8«Um  ;nr,  Tlio  Pasha  of  ijuluiucn,  . 

Sennuus  ou  :ror,:l  Siiljortk    J-y  Wisrulau,  '. 
l'UrI,.,i-;l,.u>ll.islJ.  M.       " 
'  J'ivst.in.  ... 

oi  ■   „  ..        l!y<-aliuii,       .        .        '        '        ■ 
SickC.ilIs,  7.-.  <t:i,  ;  clcdipilt, 
siuuinlii.s(;,,M,mu"n(Ci.    Uy'llaucin''      " 
Oolif;  liooli:!  :  'I  ■         .        . 

111!;)  •  f  IJrin  .Sonjstor.    Paper,  21  ct.s  • ,  i 
l;,orpPt  lao  Not.     Imjmt,  e)r:.s.    ^nVl, '        ' 

stiT.     P.ipcr,  ^; )  ( t.-.. ;  ( l„Lli,      .  '^ 

hnaim-ock  .Son  ..stir     Wine'-  •J^rta  ./i.,*!,' 
SoiiKa  forCMtlioli,;  S,  iiouls;     '  ^  ''"'  '  '•'°'''- 
Bonn.s  of  Iri'laiul  au,l  Oi  li.-r  Lanrl.<j  ' 
Spiuiisli  C.ivulicM,   V5  cts.  :  cloth  t 'It      " 
Spirit  oftlioNulion,     ""^  ;  "-'"^"  fe'"-    •        • 
Stntioij.'iof  tho  Crj.irt.    Papor  \:>i-^\  .,.'ir,#i,' 

stepiiiiiK  SI .  .Ilea  1 ,)  (j  i.oKriii  ,h  V 
stodMcf  thoIJoititiilcs,  .-iJck  ;UothcUt' 
St.  Aii<nistiiic-,s  c:(.ufosHioin,  ^    ' 

c!i)ih.  iv.l  c;!ircH,    .  •  •       .       . 

Sul.ivau-bSpe'i;:i-..';crkSuppi'aV,loa  '  ' 
Suro  Way  to  liiid  out  True  Ueligion  '  ' 
S.raw  Cutie.'H  l>onf.Uuv.  a,„l  Thu  P„rtmlt  In 

SeiU  by  mail,  posiar/e.  pnk!,"^  receipt  of 
pricv.  ■' 


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Tiili'fi  1111(1  H  oni'rt  l..i.:i  IVi.iuatry,   Ciuliton, 

clulh  c;i  t, 

TiUi'H  ni' th'i.Mirv-nnoiu.    (Mifii, 

'I'alcH  FIvorniiMiri.il  Tl-M  i  t  I'oi'.    C'lflln, 

Tales  fi'iiii  t'.K'  Dim/  i  f  ii  f.iiiHiyUiiry  I'lii'tt, 

I'iotli^lt 

TnliH)  ftlii'  I'lVd  f'tTKCf,  l.Trtf-.;  clutb  i.llt,  . 

Tiilianiuif ;  II  l);'.;iii:i  n  !•  Clr:.' ' 

T('ii<St'ii-i<  *).    C  l<vn. ;  I  l.l'.i  fiilt, 

5>u  Wiirliliii:  UcsIl:!;!  Inr  CillioUc  riuirflir'f, 

fdiilaliiliiu'  iill  Ui'l;  I'll  r.iMl  fjiiucllluiitlouf, 

rti>.    Fi.Uii, »  l". ;  iMlf  i:i<'r 

Thol'r.m'lv.    'r;Miir-K;liMl  rriii.itlu)  I'roLuli  by 

Ih'H,  .I.'>"i-a  hiiiUiri'.  I'l'l"'' . 
Tlio  T«(i  Itr,.tl'.cr.!.    S  I  <Hi.  ;  riotli  nilt,  . 
Think  Well  Cii'l.     Pv  Dr.  CluUl.iuiT,       . 
Titlinriiid:  r.    I'v  C.ir:(  ti  n,     .        •    „•„    • 
XruvrM  i:i  tlio  K'lHt  ami  J!oiy  Lund.     Ty  Vo- 

tfi'ni.U-.    H,o,  c!',,!',    11  :  doll]  ifilt. 
Trrii«\iro 'l'rnv:\     I'y  1  r^  r.    ■  1  r,  I ;  pnprr, 
TruH  S;'iiiiui.l  Co.ilf:Yui:i ..    11.  I'liitiii.i  Lio 

S'.l.  H 

TnilMi  ::  1  r;ncir.  I'.y  Pr.  r-v::i,  .  .  . 
TubiT  UiT^'.  Ly  C;irlch):i,  ^Jcl...  ;  i  !ii(!u-i.t, 
T..1)  S  laiiKi!  imt  lobi!  Tnio.     Ily  I.mly  Ful- 

kTii),..    Hvd.cliitli,  $1  .M);  do.h  «iit, 
Till  •  I'l  ilic  I'.iiil.iiiiil  I'liilaii  llio  CJ.il.ui  S  live 

IHiii",  cliilh,  »ll  M ;  «iit.       .  •        • 

Tivd   Vicloili'^. 'I'ln\      A   Ciilliolir  Tuli'.     Ily 

U  V.  'I'.  J.  rulUT,  lUiim,  diilli,  ♦!  ; '  lit,     . 

Vlcliiii'iif  till'  MiiiiuMtiiicJ'rii'dii.  Ily  Aiilhiir 
cf  Miilvr;-  (it  lliL'  C  .licoiim.  laiiio,  clolli, 
i'i:  c'diii  gill 

Vftlcntliic  JlcClutc'.ir,  tho  Irli-'.i  Arviit,   . 

V;il'  ri.v.     IdiiM,  cUiUi.  "Jcli;.  ;  ibil'i  (  .It,         . 

Vuti ml    Cniuyil    u:iJ    l..i    DlIIujUlJ.      Ty 
Miiiiiiiu;' .•,,;.■ 

Vpn('.(  lUi.    inio,clot:i,r,3itrt.  ;  o'.nllinl.t,     . 

Veuai  la  i  f  l!:o  !;i.:.(;l,uc..-y.    l:.mo,  cloth, . 
el, it'll  (.'i't,        .        •       •       •,,•,,•,• 

Vctrdiuiilc'ii  Trnvc"'-.  l.i  Eai-.t  auJ  uoly  Laud. 
H>-(i,  V'! ;  i'I./l'ik:;! 

Virli;.siuilUuteciai,f  aYounKCIil,     . 

ululli  t'-l 

Waliili'H  HI  it(ii7  ot  tho  I'l^h  Church.    Cvo, 

hiilf  mor.,  i.ij,r'ilo,  H  r,3  ;  half  i;\or.,  pit, 
Wnrd'n  C.iuKiu.  ;  Kii-'ivkVj  llcfurmiUlou,     . 
Wiirii'n  Krr/.t.i  (  f  t'^i)  F'-utoi;la;;t  lUblr,  .    ,^  . 
Well  1  V.'c  1  I    i;y  Y.'iiU  '.CI'.    *  1  i.".  ;  clolli  ir-t, 
Wl.luai  I  V.'!,ic:i :  !•.  trai.'.iifcr  (.ill.', 
Wllbo'i.i  iir.'t  A„n.tj  cf  Umi.iibla  :•;•, 

Pli'th  K'lt,         ....... 

Wiilio  r.til'y  r.n-.l  1! '.  Penr  Co'.-ccu  l.av.!, 
Wlui'.'red.l.'iaco.    IJtuo,  tlolj, 

cl.lliiiU, 

Wiai'frl.Hl.  Cor.r'.occ  '.t  I'.V.tcClc,  . 

cloUu.i't „      •,       • 

TVlsciuan.  t'.'.ri  lr!".1,  Ccmou"..    2  vo!n.,   . 
WltohotllelUj  Ulll.    1 1  ;  I  UVth  i,i.t,     . 

Toiin-'sC  ini' I"'"*  Co'^a'lly  JIaniml,        . 
Vciuu^  Siiviiyiird.       CJ  (  oiil.. ;  (^lotii  ciit. 


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